“We have already questioned the relevant experts from the Department of Mineral Resources Region 4 office. The geotechnical officials concluded that the landslide was a natural event,” Pol Lt Col Ekkasak said.
“They explained their findings differently from the initial letter, stating that the area was already classified as high-risk and prone to landslides, essentially a natural disaster,” he kept repeating.
“They noted that around 90% of the mountains in Phuket have similar steep and unstable terrain. The landslide occurred in a red zone, officially marked as a high-risk area,” he added.
“The challenge with this case is that it was not a straightforward negligence case. Multiple factors were involved ‒ heavy rain, old and unstable soil, the steepness of the slope,” Pol Lt Col Ekkasak continued.
“Unlike a car accident, there’s no clear liable party. After reviewing the geological assessments, we can no longer treat this simply as a case of negligence,” he said.
Regarding any concerns about corruption in the case, Pol Lt Col Ekkasak stated, “I want to make it clear that there is no corruption involved in this investigation. We are strictly following the evidence and expert assessments at every step.”
CIVIL COURT
The Phuket Bar Association is preparing to meet with victims on June 22 to assess damage and begin preparing a civil lawsuit.
Association President Rungnapa Phutkaew said expert involvement is the only way forward.
“We’re grateful that experts like Dr Helmut Duerrast from the Geophysics Research Center at Prince of Songkla University in Hat Yai are among the few professionals still monitoring the case. Recently, he visited the site and shared his assessment,” she shared.
“At this point, they are our only hope to prove whether construction played a direct role,” she told The Phuket News.
“We’re frustrated. Nothing is moving forward,” she said.
Ms Rungnapa said victims now gather official documentation to support compensation claims.
“We have strong evidence to support a civil lawsuit. We can’t wait for the police any longer,” she said.
The lawyer team from the Phuket Bar Association had previously decided to proceed with court action without waiting for the police investigation, saying they had already waited too long with no visible progress.