Facebook tip-off leads to Laguna Phuket beach fence teardown

PHUKET: Laguna Phuket today was ordered to pull down a fence at Bang Tao Beach until it could be established whether or not the operators of the resort complex own the land.

Ma-ann Samran, president of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor), issued the order after inspecting the site while accompanied by armed soldiers.

“Photos of the fence were posted on Facebook yesterday, so I went down to inspect it myself this morning,” he told the Phuket Gazette.

Representatives from Laguna Resorts explained that the fence was built in order to clearly mark the boundary of the complex’s land.

They also presented a Chanote land title deed, issued four years ago to Bang Tao Development Co Ltd as the title holder, to support their claim.

Regardless, Mr Ma-ann ordered the fence to be dismantled until the issue was clearly resolved in order to avoid any conflict that may arise over the structure.

“Even though they said they had the legal rights to the land, I ordered Laguna to pull the fence down. People saw it and asked how could Laguna be allowed to put a fence on the beach,” he explained.

Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has been informed of the dispute and the chief of the Thalang Land Office has been asked to send a team to survey the plot and verify the resort’s boundary.

The team of officials are expected to survey the site tomorrow.

“Local people are invited to witness the surveying, so they know what is happening,” Mr Ma-ann said.

“I want people to understand why Laguna put a fence on the sand. If the [survey] team confirms that Laguna owns the land, then there’s nothing we can do about it.”

— Chutharat Plerin