Officials from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will conduct a field inspection of the Yamu peninsula in Phuket next Tuesday, to investigate the legitimacy of the Nor Sor 3 Kor certificates issued for over 16 hectares of land on the peninsula.
The land in question covers a luxurious villa on Yamu Beach, a Swiss tenant of which is facing an assault charge for allegedly kicking a female Thai doctor, who he accused of trespassing on his property when she sat on a staircase of his rented villa, which juts out into the beach.
Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam, DSI deputy director-general, said today that the old land survey records for Phuket Island, including aerial photographs, show that Yamu Beach was scarcely utilised, indicating that it is public property, so it is impossible that ‘Nor Sor Sam Kor’* land certificates could be issued legally.
He said that, if it were to be discovered that officials were involved in the issuance of certificates for land on Yamu Beach, they would be held accountable and the case would be sent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation.
The DSI deputy chief admitted that he believes that “dirty money” of foreign organised crime gangs has been used to procure property in Phuket.
Meanwhile, a number of Phuket residents gathered today in front of a zinc sheet wall, blocking access to Laem Nga Beach in Ratsada sub-district. A sign on the wall reads “No trespassing. The land belongs to Laem Nga Development Company. Violators will face legal action.”
Nakarin Yorsaengrat, the mayor of Ratsada sub-district, said that an initial probe shows the 10.24 hectare plot on the beach has land title deeds. He admitted, however, that only the land office in Phuket can say whether the land title deeds are legitimate.
He said that the municipality has no authority to dismantle wall.
The residents also wonder how a public road could be built into the beach if the land belongs to the private sector.
*Nor Sor Sam Kor is a type of land title certificate. It gives the owner the right to rent, buy and sell the land, like a full land title certificate (Nor Sor Si). The difference lies in the use of the land. While land under Nor Sor Si can be left unutilised, land under Nor Sor Sam Kor must be put to use.
