The meeting, chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, was attended by key officials, including Poonsak Chanchampi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment, Committee Spokesperson Thitikan Thitipruethikul, who also serves as one of the three Phuket MPs; and fellow Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee. Representatives from various government agencies also participated.
The discussions focused on several pressing land use concerns, particularly disputes between private landowners and government agencies. Officials addressed encroachment on public land, national reserve forests and national parks, emphasising the need for a sustainable approach to managing natural resources.
Key issues included overlapping land claims, such as the disputed cemetery in Mai Khao and land ownership conflicts at Leypang Beach in Cherng Talay.
Concerns were also raised about restricted public access due to government land in Laem Singh Beach in Kamala and the demolition of unauthorised shops at Surin Beach, said an official report of the meeting.
At the meeting the officials present stressed the necessity of regulatory measures to enforce land use laws and maintain order.
Encroachment on national forest reserves was another major topic, with particular attention given to Freedom Beach in Karon, where improper land use has raised environmental concerns.
The expansion of tourism businesses, including jet-ski operators encroaching on protected areas, has also impacted Phuket’s ecosystems, notably at Koh Ngam and in Pa Klok, the meeting heard.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing challenges at Sirinat National Park in Sakhu, where disputes over park boundaries and public encroachment persist.
As a resolution, the meeting called for urgent coordination among government agencies to resolve overlapping land issues, said the official report.
Officials said they were committed to engaging the public in discussions, implementing stricter regulations for reserved forest and beach areas and balancing economic development with environmental conservation.
Apparently, progress on these initiatives will be closely monitored to ensure long-term solutions, the report noted.