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Officials investigate forest encroachment at Freedom Beach

Officials investigate forest encroachment at Freedom Beach

PHUKET: A senior Phuket forest official has filed a formal complaint with Karon Police allegedly 15 different counts of encroachment onto protected forest land at the tourist-popular Freedom Beach, south of Patong.

tourismenvironmentnatural-resourcescrimepolice
By Eakkapop Thongtub

Saturday 28 December 2024 09:30 AM


Freedom Beach. Photo: Patong Municipality

Freedom Beach. Photo: Patong Municipality

The alleged forest encroachment is within the Khao Nakkerd National Forest Reserve in Karon, noted the complaint, filed by Sorasak Rananan, Head of the Forest Protection Unit, and his team. 

The complaint was filed on Thursday (Dec 26), following an inspection on Christmas Day.

During their inspection, Mr Sorasak and his team discovered unauthorised reservations of land for commercial purposes and evidence of encroachment in 15 areas previously identified as protected, the complaint explained.

Although no individuals were present at the site during the inspection, his team is acting swiftly to seize the affected areas, Mr Sorasak noted.

With an official complaint filed with the Karon Police, Mr Sorasak is urging investigators to identify and prosecute those responsible for the encroachment under the law.  

As Freedom Beach, a popular tourist destination, lies within the boundaries of the Khao Nakkerd National Forest Reserve, it is legally protected from development and commercial activity, Mr Sorasak explained.

Police have yet to confirm the extent of the damage or any additional details about those potentially involved.