Krabi

Coconut trees provide evidence for land ownership case

Published

8 months ago

August 17, 2018

Coconut trees provide evidence for land ownership case | The Thaiger

Coconut trees have saved a 71 rai (11 hectare) patch of park forestland on beautiful Poda Island (8km from Ao Nang) from falling into the hands of the private sector. Evidence was solid enough for the Appeal Court to overturn a ruling that awarded the land ownership to a man.

If the plot became privately owned it could possibly fetch billions of baht given its location. Private investors would be keen to buy the plot from Chuan Pukaoluan, who has long fought with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) over the plot.

The Court of Primary Instance initially ruled in favour of Chuan, who produced land-rights documents and pictures to back a claim that he owned and used the plot before it was declared a part of Hat Noppharat Thara Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in 1967.

The DNP appealed and enlisted the help of experts in verifying the age of coconut trees on the plot.

Experts from the Chumphon Horticultural Research Centre randomly examined 12 coconut trees on the site, and analyses showed the oldest was just 45 years old. Chuan’s claim that coconut trees were planted there before the national park was established was no longer convincing.

“Through special techniques, we can accurately identity the age of a tree, said the centre’s representative, Supatra Lertwannakiat.  The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has helped the DNP in finding new techniques for the court battle.”

On Thursday, the Appeal Court found the DNP evidence carried more weight and ruled in their favour.

“  I feel relieved now that we won the case”, said Hat Noppharat Thara Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park chief Worapoj Lomlim.

He said he could not sleep at all on Wednesday night because of anxiety.

DNP director-general Thanya Netithammakun said the Poda ruling marked the first time his agency had won in the Appeal Court. He said even though Chuan could still petition to the Supreme Court, it would be difficult for Chuan to find anything to rebut the DNP evidence.

Coconut trees provide evidence for land ownership case | News by The Thaiger

STORY: The Nation

Krabi

British national and five Burmese arrested in Krabi over working illegally

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2019

Kritsada Mueanhawong

British national and five Burmese arrested in Krabi over working illegally | The Thaiger

Koh Phi Phi Police have been cracking down on illegal workers on the island’s and have arrested a British national along with five Burmese yesterday in Krabi.

Police arrested 28 year old British man Benjamin Richard Stone at a restaurant on Koh Phi Phi yesterday.
The arrested follows police receiving a tip-off that the suspect was illegally selling tour packages to tourists without a work permit. He is facing charges of illegally working in Thailand. Stone is currently denying the charge.

Immigration Police discovered that Stone entered Thailand on February 4 as a tourist. He was coming from Malaysia and arrived at the Phuket International Airport.

Police have also arrested another five Burmese citizens for working illegally.

Krabi

American arrested at airport after stealing speedboat in Krabi

Published

5 hours ago

April 24, 2019

Kritsada Mueanhawong

American arrested at airport after stealing speedboat in Krabi | The Thaiger

PHOTOS: Pudam News

An American tourist has been arrested after stealing a speedboat on Koh Phi Phi to drive to Krabi.

Koh Phi Phi Police Chief Col Kritsapas Detinthasorn says, “We received a report from Ms Apissamai Sangjan that her speedboat, which was moored at Ao Nang Beach, was stolen on April 19. An allegedly drunken tourist jumped in, started the engine and drove away.”

“On April 20 morning the boat was found 15 kilometres from Ao Nang. It had sustained damage. The value of the repairs was around 350,000 baht.”

Police continued their investigation and identified the tourist, and aspiring speedboat captain, as 25 year old American man Parker Wilson Bishop. An warrant was issued for him over the theft and damage of the vessel.

Col Kritsapas says, “This morning we were notified from the Immigration Police at Suvarnabhumi Airport that Bishop was arrested at the airport. He has now been taken back to Koh Phi Phi Police to face legal action.”

American arrested at airport after stealing speedboat in Krabi | News by The Thaiger

Krabi

Man arrested after slashing 82 year old woman in Krabi

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2019

Kritsada Mueanhawong

Man arrested after slashing 82 year old woman in Krabi | The Thaiger

A man has been caught after slashing an 82 year old woman in Krabi today.

The 52 year old man who is reported to have psychological problems was caught after he used a long knife to slash the 82 year old woman named Wieng Imkasem.

The woman, who has sustained serious injuries as a result of the attack, was rushed to hospital. The attacker was also taken to hospital.

Man arrested after slashing 82 year old woman in Krabi | News by The Thaiger