Six dodge jail terms for Phuket beach land encroachment

PHUKET: Six people have received suspended jail sentences and immediate fines for building and operating small beachside shops on protected land at Nai Yang Beach, revealed the Chief Administrative Officer of Sakoo Tambon Administrative Organization (OrBorTor) today.

Of the six, two are still operating their shops, three have had their shops demolished and one has closed shop, but the building remains.

“We issued them notices before this, but they refused to remove the buildings as they claimed they had nowhere to go,” Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada said.

The following have been sentenced, but can still file for an appeal: Boonthai Chaitamat, one-year suspended sentence and a 275,000-baht fine; Mario Malee, one-year-and-seven-months suspended sentence and a 284,000-baht fine; Kanokorn Singkala, one-year suspended sentence and a 154,400-baht fine; Jaroong Termtong, one-year suspended jail time and a 152,100-baht fine; Nucharee Yokcharoen, one-year suspended sentence and a 5,000-baht fine; Jarinporn Chaidum, one-year suspended sentence and a 154,400-baht fine.

Sakoo OrBorTor Chief Administrative Officer Sumet Suwannarat also revealed that 13 more beach shop operators are currently on trial for encroaching on the beach.

They were named as: Rojjarin Jitnawee, Rojjarin Seafood; Thongchai Pluemjai, Chai Batik shop; Chaowalit Suwankas, Sovoey Seafood; Nittaya Boonyai, Lee Pizza; Worrawit Ruangrong, Accretion Car Rent; Niyom Koeitong, Wat’s Bar; Jira Chukrachun, Marina Seafood; Somsak Tamchoo, Mr Thai Kobibar; Kwanta Tamchoo, Kwanta Seafood; Pornpen Poungsang, Phen’s Restaurant Bar and Coffee; Arporn Sombat, Hula-Shop Fashion; Sukhum Raksanit, Khao Bar; and Supot Chaidum, Thai massage, GR Fashion and Mama Mia Bakery.

During the meeting, eight others were named as being under investigation for land encroachment. These individuals all had property ownership under the one document: SorKor 1 number 194.

“However, it is possible that it was illegally issued,” said Mr Sumet.

The suspects under investigation were named as: Dang Laolang, Wirat Laolang, Sonthaya Laolang, Panpen Laolang, Wanlayaporn Promchai, Sudarat Tipayatas, Tiew Yomana and Suriya Kangka.

“I will ask the Phuket Provincial Court if they can waive people’s rights to appeal in public land encroachment cases in order to expedite the cases against them,” Vice Governor Chamroen said.

“We have to reclaim all the beach we can.”

— Saran Mitrarat