Two deputy interior ministers, Polapee Suwanchawee and Worasit Liangprasit, visited Freedom Beach on Phuket Island yesterday.
The visit is being seen as a renewed government effort to reclaim the beach from illegal encroachers and organised crime figures who have been charging entry fees for access to the 300-metre-long strip of pristine, secluded beach surrounded by hills.
The visit by the two deputy ministers from the Bhumjaithai Party follows the abrupt transfer from Phuket of the governor and his two deputies by PM Anutin Charnvirakul, in what was a major purge of the provincial administration for its prolonged failure to address the problem of "dark influences" and illegal encroachment on state land, especially beaches and prime highland areas on the island.
Polapee told the media that some encroachers on Freedom Beach have claimed to possess Nor Sor 3 land certificates as proof of ownership. He said, however, that the beach is part of a forest reserve under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and that it is therefore impossible for land ownership certificates to have been issued by the Land Department.
He disclosed that the illegal land claimants, including one identified only as "Sia Lek", have been charging tourists 100 baht each to access the beach. Vendors have also reportedly been charged fees for permission to erect umbrellas and install beach chairs to provide services to tourists.
When asked about reports that some encroachers had fired shots to intimidate local officials attempting to visit the beach, Polapee said the officials should exercise extra caution while authorities investigate ownership claims to the area.
The deputy interior minister said he had an appointment with beach vendors and business operators to discuss the problems of extortion and illegal fees imposed by organised crime figures for access to some beaches in Phuket.
He assured the public that the inspection trip was part of the government's effort to address chronic problems in Phuket that have been ignored for a long time.
"We are here to solve the problems for all," he emphasised.
Polapee said the government is genuinely determined to tackle the problems in Phuket, with Plans B, C and D ready to be implemented in succession until they are resolved.
Regarding Freedom Beach, Worasit said the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has a plan to develop the beach into a quality tourist destination that will be accessible free of charge.
