Big Buddha boss charged with illegal land grab in landslide scandal

Suporn Wanichkul, the chairperson of the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongol Sattha 45 Foundation, which oversees Phuket’s iconic Big Buddha, has landed in hot water. Accused of illegal forest encroachment, Suporn now faces serious charges connected to the deadly landslide that rocked the region last month.

Suporn was formally charged yesterday, September 11, at Karon Police Station by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkasak Kwanwan. The charge, which extends to the foundation itself, involves illegal clearing, construction, and occupation of protected forest land.

Both Suporn and the foundation are accused of operating without permission, causing a ripple of local outrage following the catastrophic landslide on August 23.

The landslide, which tragically claimed 19 lives, injured 19 others, and destroyed over 50 homes, has been linked to alleged illegal construction at the Big Buddha viewpoint. Locals pointed the finger at Suporn’s foundation, claiming the unapproved work destabilised the area, leading to the disaster.

The Royal Forest Department (RFD) launched a full-scale investigation into the allegations, seizing over 5 rai of land that had been illegally expanded upon. Suporn, however, denies all charges personally and on behalf of the foundation, reported Phuket News.

RFD Deputy Director-General Bannaruk Sermthong stated that if the foundation is found guilty of illegal encroachment, all unauthorised structures at the site will be demolished.

ORIGINAL STORY: Land encroachment scandal rocks Phuket Big Buddha

The Phuket Big Buddha Foundation is in hot water after the Forest Department accused its chairman of land encroachment. This follows a catastrophic mudslide that claimed 13 lives, predominantly Myanmar nationals, last week at Khao Nak Kerd, Phuket’s tallest peak.

Officials from the Forest Department, along with the Phuket Buddhism Office, police, and local officials, carried out a rigorous inspection of the Big Buddha site and its surroundings yesterday, August 27. Their goal was to verify whether the entire compound adhered to the 2.4-hectare land limit stipulated by the Forest Department.

Armed with GPS technology, the team uncovered a troubling discrepancy: the entire compound sprawled across approximately 3.2 hectares, exceeding the allowed area. This surplus land was used for additional parking, restrooms, and other facilities.

Officials suspect that this alleged encroachment and unauthorised construction may have exacerbated the recent mudslide, triggered by heavy rains. The Big Buddha, an iconic 45-metre tall statue clad in Burmese white marble, is a significant landmark on the island. However, this controversy threatens to tarnish its revered status.

The Forest Department’s complaint now puts the spotlight on the foundation’s chairman, raising questions about regulatory compliance and the broader impact on the local environment, reported Thai PBS World.