The list of 25 conditions drafted by RFD Phuket was presented to Phuket Phra Khru Wisut Kittiyaphon, Abbot of Wat Kata, at a meeting held at Wat Kittisangkharam (Wat Kata) yesterday (July 17).
The meeting yesterday came 11 months after the deadly landslide on the Big Buddha hill that killed 13 people and destroyed dozens of properties.
The conditions stipulate basic terms already enforceable by law, such as no expansion of structures or encroachment onto areas beyond the area designated for use without permission, no actions that cause environmental degradation and the occupier must take care of the safety of area users.
It was not explained why Wat Kata was not already held responsible for the same conditions, which are already required by law.
The meeting was chaired by Phuket Phra Khru Wisut Kittiyaphon, joined by Karon Deputy Mayor Trin Thipmongkol, village headmen and local residents.
Also present was a representative from the office of Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee, who is currently in Bangkok attending Parliament.
Of note, also present were Karon Police Chief Pol Col Khundet na Nongkhai and Pol Lt Col Ekkasak Kwanwan, Senior Inspector at Karon Police Station, who led the police investigation into the landslide.
After some nine months of investigation, Karon Police finally dropped their investigation, saying there was not enough evidence to meet the criteria for a criminal negligence charge.
MP Chalermpong in a post online said, "One of my assistants pointed out clause 17, which states that licence holders must strictly follow the environmental protection and impact monitoring measures listed in the environmental documents, as well as any extra conditions set out in the resolution from the Environmental Review Committee meeting No. 3/2568 on March 7, 2025. However, that meeting did not mention or present any environmental impact report at all.
"If you recall, the construction site did not have permission from the municipality, including the five-rai area at the back that was used as a parking lot Many people expect that this point may be one of the causes of the flash flood that resulted in 13 deaths. Therefore, in the contract, clause 17 must be clearly specified. In the case of opening for service, it should be considered carefully.”
Also present was Rungnapa Phutkaew, President of the Phuket Provincial Bar Association, who is leading the civil negligence case against the operator of the Big Buddha site, the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkhol Sattha 45 Foundation, and the foundation’s president, Suporn Vanichkul.
Ms Rungnapa pointed out that most villagers “agreed with conditions”, emphasising that: Illegal structures such as bathrooms and parking lots must be demolished and that the correction of rainwater flow direction and reforestation must be accelerated, she said.
However, the local residents also called for the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Sattha 45 Foundation, or any other private entity, not be allowed to operate the site again.
The residents also called for those deemed responsible for the deadly landslide to be prosecuted as soon as possible, Ms Rungnapa said.
The local residents also called for a specific condition to be added ‒ that the occupier of Royal Forest Land be held accountable for compensation to any persons affected as a result of the breach of any of the 25 conditions, Ms Rungnapa said.
“The locals believe that the main cause was the expansion of the construction area around the Big Buddha site, which affected the direction of water flow. However, so far, no relevant agencies or individuals have come out to take responsibility,” she explained.
“There is no responsibility from the Phra Ming Mongkol Sattha Foundation at this time. They can donate millions to the hospital but they won’t even take responsibility for this matter,” Ms Rungnapa told The Phuket News.
“There is no mention of compensation for the families of the 13 deceased as well as those injured and the villagers’ houses and properties,” she added.
The Abbot did not sign the conditions, asking for the local residents to endorse the conditions first, Ms Rungapa explained.
The Phuket News was told that further meetings will follow.