Mr MaAnn was questioned about his ability to carry out Supreme Court evictions during the new Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana’s first Governor Meets Press function held at Phuket Provincial Hall this Thursday (October 4).
“The dismantling of structures along Layan and Leypang beaches is on hold because five new people filed their appeals to the Court of Appeals claiming to own the land. The Court of Appeals dismissed these claims last month,” Mr MaAnn said.
“Next I will send a letter to Phuket Legal Execution Department (PLED) to reclaim this land for the Government. The land will be public and beautiful,” he added.
Mr MaAnn did not specify when the letter to PLED will be sent. As of October 5, it was yet to happen.
“We are still waiting for this letter from Mr MaAnn because actions can be taken only after a complaint,” a PLED official told The Phuket News.
In accordance with the “final warning” from Phuket officials, occupiers of beachfront plots at Layan and Leypang beaches – mostly restaurants and other businesses that cater to tourists – were given until March 5 to vacate their plots or face having their businesses demolished (read here).
Contacted by The Phuket News on March 5, Mr MaAnn said he was ready to proceed with demolition but needed instructions from PLED.
“I’m ready. I am waiting for PLED to inform me of what action is to be taken,” Mr MaAnn said.
“I can only take action by command from the Legal Execution Office only,” he added (read here).
PLED officials at that time expected local authorities to make the first step.
"Phuket officials must go to check that people have vacated the land. If they have not, the officials must come to report it at the PLED. Our role is just to support officials in enforcing the law. That’s all,” PLED Director Kattakamon Tunwun said.