Crackdown on illegal hotels, land encroachment on Koh Phi Phi
Officials are investigating the construction of 34 villas and a big swimming pool on about 40 rai of land on Koh Phi Phi Don. Officials are also taking action regarding implementation of the Immigration Act whilst checking hotels and hostels on the island.
A team of officials led by Krabi Vice Governor Apinan Pueakpong headed over to Koh Phi Phi on Wednesday to inspect hotels, tourism, diving and tour boat operators.
Eight premises have been found with non-compliant buildings and operating them as illegal hotels.
Officials also took legal action under the Immigration Act, which requires that tourists staying in hotels be registered with the local Immigration office. This wasn’t happening with some non-compliant hotels operating in the area.
The managers of the establishments are also being questioned.
After that the officials investigated a hillside area where 34 villas and a big swimming pool are being built.
The construction is under NorSor3 land document, which was issued in 1993 for 47.5 rai plot of land. The owner of the land is Narongsak ‘Ko Kiet’ Pattamapaneewong from Chiang Mai.
Officials took a copy of the land documents for further inspection as the construction is on a hill and officials suspect it encroaches on reserve forest land.
Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/illegal-hotels-and-land-encroachment-crackdown-on-koh-phi-phi