Deputy Director-General Bannarak Sermthong confirmed to The Phuket News that the reclassification of the area was announced by public notice on Jan 31, and came into effect on publication in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday (Feb 19).
According to Mr Bannarak, the designation aims to protect and manage the national reserve forest while allowing for public recreational use.
“The area remains a reserve forest under the law, but it is now a service zone for ecotourism,” Mr Bannarak explained.
“Facilities like a service centre and toilets can now be made available at the site, and entrance fees to the area can be collected under Royal Forest Department regulations, similar to national parks,” he added.
Mr Bannarak played down the impact allowing business operations in a protected forest area would have.
“It must be assessed from a business welfare perspective and follow the Treasury Department’s regulations and criteria,” he said.
Freedom Beach, which has grown increasingly popular with visitors over the years, has already made headlines with several incidents of vendors at the beach being investigated for encroachment onto national forest (See stories here and here.)
EARLY DAYS
Sorasak Rananan, Director of the Royal Forest Department’s Phuket Forestry Centre, confirmed that the area now declared ‘recreational forest’ covers 41 rai, 1 ngan and 45 square wa.
“It will be marked on-site to indicate the designated recreational sections,” he said.
“The Forest Resource Management Office 12 has measured the area, and while we just announced the finalisation of the decree, marking the land on-site is still in progress,” he added.
“Similar to other areas in Phuket designated ‘recreational forests’, such as in Bang Khanun protected forest area and at Toh Sae Hill, this designation currently does not include any fee collection. Discussions about potential fees are still ongoing,” Mr Sorasak said.
Regarding business operations within the forest, Mr Bannarak stated that no businesses have been granted permission yet, as discussions on regulations and zoning are still in progress.
“Business activities must stay in service zones and avoid unnecessary deforestation,” Mr Bannarak said.
Asked whether trees or plants could be cleared for business development, Mr Bannarak emphasised that businesses “must comply with environmental regulations”.
“Tree cutting should be avoided unless absolutely necessary,” he said, without elaborating.
While the area is now officially recognised as a recreational forest, many specifics remain undecided. Phuket Forestry Chief Mr Sorasak also confirmed.
“With the decree now in effect, the next steps involve finalising service fee structures, marking the designated areas and holding further discussions on potential business operations,” he said.
“For now, Freedom Beach remains open to the public, but its management and future development will continue to evolve under the new regulations,” he concluded.
KARON CLARITY
Karon Mayor Jadet Wicharasorn confirmed that Karon Municipality has no direct authority over Freedom Beach, as it remains under the supervision of the Royal Forest Department.
“I have already been informed of this announcement, but the municipality has no authority on Freedom Beach, which is still under the supervision of the Royal Forest Department. Freedom Beach is still a conservation beach,” he said.
He also addressed concerns about the screening process for businesses operating on other beaches under municipal jurisdiction.
“Regarding the announcement of the umbrella business screening, many people have contacted us [Karon Municipality] to do business. We have to screen the rights of those who will come to do business first,” he explained.
“The main ones to get priority must be people who are registered as living in Karon Subdistrict, meaning they are locals and poor people who hold a ‘Kon Jon’ card. When these qualifications are screened and verified, only a few will be left,” he added.
“We give these rights because we want people to come and earn income from tourism and to distribute income from tourism throughout the community, which is the policy of the Phuket Governor.
“However, we still consider it as temporary permission that can be cancelled at any time,” Mr Jadet said.
“It is an arrangement by Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to promote business and organise matters so that the beaches are not damaged and the beauty is maintained,” he noted.
“All of the above applies only to Karon Beach, Kata Noi Beach and Kata Yai Beach, a total of three beaches. It is not related to Freedom Beach, which belongs to the forestry department. We do not have that authority,” Mr Jadet concluded.