Gov moves to evict Chalong encroachers

CHALONG: Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit will head a committee aimed at evicting encroachers from government land off Soi Songkul, where three homes were badly damaged last November in a bombing believed to have been motivated by a land rights dispute.

Tawicha Chaithong, who heads the Phuket Administrative and Justice Enhancement Group, said there are three areas of greatest concern: Klong Mudong Moo 1 Chalong and Moo 1 Vichit; the area near Soi Songkul where the November bombings took place; and a third area that was part of a tin mining concession.

The three areas combined cover about 90 rai.

A committee chaired by Governor Niran will be formed to oversee the matter. The panel will issue letters to 121 houses in those areas, informing residents that they have just 60 days from the date of the announcement to submit title deeds and other documents to prove their land rights.

After the evidence has been reviewed, the committee will decide what to do about homes on government land, K. Tawicha said.

The process will be made clearer later on a date yet to be set, he added.

Residents confident they can prove land ownership can submit their documents before the official announcement, he said.