FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Taskforces arrest Koh Pha-ngan resort, restaurant owners in ongoing joint operation to tackle fores

Taskforces arrest Koh Pha-ngan resort, restaurant owners  in ongoing joint operation to tackle fores

Resorts and restaurants in at least seven locations scattered around the popular tourist island of Koh Pha-ngan in Surat Thani province were found to have encroached upon forest reserves and Thansadet National Park, while 12 others have land documents suspected by the authorities of being forgeries.

This is according to a report by the integrated forces of the Forest Protecting Operation Centre (FPOC) and the Royal Thai Police, who have made several arrests.
The exposure of such illegal forest encroachment is a result of the work carried out by the joint forces following the junta’s order 13/2559 to suppress influential figures and their acts deemed to pose threats to national security.
Led by deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransribramanakul, the FPOC’s director, Athapol Charoenshunsa – also deputy chief of the Forestry Department – and the centre’s taskforce, Phayak Prai, the forces on Monday inspected 19 locations on Koh Pha-ngan, from flat areas to the rocky hilltops, and confirmed their suspicions about the illegal acts.
According to a report prepared by the taskforce’s chief, Cheewapap Cheewatham, the forces were informed about the encroachments by a local who had petitioned Prime Minister genral Prayut Chan-o-cha, who then ordered a swift inspection of the reported locations on Pha-ngan island and nearby Koh Samui.
The FPOC first conducted an aerial inspection flying over the island, before verifying its findings with the Pitak Prai encroachment-tracking mobile application.
Ground checks were then conducted during the week of January 4, and last week, before the forces went to inspect the sites and make arrests.
Of the seven sites found to have violated encroachment laws, at least three resorts and a bar –Rin Beach Resort, Big Chill Resort, Lighthouse Resort and Mellow Mountains Bar – were found to have encroached upon the forests or had no documents to prove their land ownership.
The remaining three were mostly found to have cleared the land in preparation for construction.
The total area seized is around 52 rai (8.3 hectares).
The other 12 locations, with the largest plot of 64 rai, will be subject to further investigation into land ownership and documents, as the documentation is suspected of having been forged.
Cheewapap pointed out that those arrested would be charged for illegally encroaching upon the forests, violating the 1941 Forest Act, as well as building properties over waterways without permission.
On Koh Samui, meanwhile, the integrated forces found at least 48 locations deemed to have encroached upon the forests. 
They will spend another 30 days inspecting them.

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