Known for its natural beauty, beaches, and marine biodiversity, Phuket has long attracted both tourists and investors. However, its growing appeal has led to increasing pressure on natural resources, with forested land being cleared for real estate development and infrastructure, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee said in a post online yesterday (Apr 18).
While tourist-heavy areas like Patong and Karon are often the focus of development, MP Chalermpong said that Wichit ‒ largely flat and considered suitable for residential projects ‒ is now under scrutiny.
Much of the area along the hills and mountains remains officially designated as a wildlife reserve. Yet recent inspections have revealed signs of encroachment, he noted.
“In December last year, a high-level follow-up meeting chaired by a Vice Governor of Phuket brought together officials from the Provincial Land Rights Verification Subcommittee, the Phuket Provincial Land Office, and the public prosecutor’s office,’ MP Chalermong said.
A key agenda item was to review progress on a case involving suspected illegal claims on protected pastures in Baan Ao Makham and Khao Khad, he added.
Authorities are working to create updated land maps to dispute fraudulent land ownership claims in these areas.
“This is not the first time the issue has been raised. In June 2020, a previous governor chaired a meeting of the Subcommittee on Solving State Land Encroachment Problems, urging urgent inspections and boundary verifications in areas 6, 7, and 8 of Wichit,” Mr Chalermpong said.
Despite advances in land survey technology and satellite mapping, enforcement has proven difficult, Mr Chalermpong added.
“Locals have testified to improper land use and document issuance, with reports indicating that both Thai and foreign investors may be using nominees to illegally acquire public land,” he said.
Encroachment tactics often involve clearing forested areas, degrading the land, or planting crops to falsely claim agricultural use passed down by ancestors, he added.
“Such practices continue to threaten Phuket’s remaining green spaces and call for stricter monitoring and legal action to protect state land,” MP Chalermpong concluded.