Officials from the Phuket Provincial Forestry Office, led by Sorasak Rananan, Director of the Phuket Forestry Center, coordinated with Phuket Marine Chief Natchapong Pranit and representatives from the Natural Resources and Environment Office and Phuket City Police, to post official seizure notices on the disputed property, the Khon Thai Restaurant 2, located at the end of Soi Senaniwet, fronting onto Phuket Bay.
The land is located near the Office of the Attorney General, was the description given in an official report of the raid.
Signs were installed at two points: one at the gated entrance of the restaurant and another at the far edge of the property.
Meanwhile, the restaurant displayed its own sign claiming the land is legally held under Title Deed No. 15632, warning against unauthorised entry but welcoming customers.
Mr Sorasak stated the operation followed a complaint and site inspection conducted on Mar 12, during which officials discovered unlicensed occupation of forest land and 17 illegal buildings on more than four rai.
A formal complaint has been filed with Phuket City Police, and the case will now proceed through the legal system, Mr Sorasak said.
According to Mr Natchapong, the Phuket Marine Office had earlier been alerted by forestry officials and inspected the site, finding that the restaurant had also encroached on public waterway areas.
A letter was sent requesting the landowner to provide permits for the construction. When no permits were produced, the Phuket Marine Office ordered the demolition of structures, including a 950-square-metre, 140-metre-long bank barrier built to prevent sea erosion.
The restaurant has 90 days to comply but retains the right to appeal.
Criminal complaints have also been lodged in relation to the alleged violations, the official report confirmed.