Phonphir Suwannachavee, Deputy Minister of Interior, visited Phuket Province to advance the "Phuket Model" initiative aimed at reclaiming Sirinath Forest and ordered the removal of illegal constructions.
On 10 July 2026, Mr. Phonphir Suwannachavee, Deputy Minister of Interior (Interior Minister 2), visited Phuket Province to monitor progress in addressing encroachments in Sirinath National Park under the "Phuket Model" framework. He was accompanied by Pol. Maj. Gen. Suraphol Boonma, Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; Mr. Pornpoj Penpas, Director-General of the Department of Lands; Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation; Mr. Ronarong Tipsiri, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration; Mr. Chotinrin Kerdsom, Governor of Phuket Province; Lt. Col. Khetrath Chansilp; and Mr. Romdon Hayiawe, Deputy Governor of Phuket Province, along with relevant agency representatives.
Later, at 12:30 PM, in the meeting room of the Pracharat Sea Protection Institute at Sirinath National Park, the task force for driving, expediting, and monitoring the reclamation of encroached forest areas convened to review the progress of legal proceedings and enforcement in Phuket under the "Phuket Model" policy. Participants included Pol. Maj. Gen. Suraphol Boonma; Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthiporn Photthong, Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; Mr. Niphon Jamnongsirisak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks; along with other executives and officials from involved agencies.
This site visit aimed to track enforcement progress, the revocation of unlawfully issued land titles, and the posting of notices requiring occupants to remove constructions within Sirinath National Park. The Department of Lands has revoked titles for multiple parcels, initiating legal enforcement procedures accordingly.
Mr. Phonphir stated that these actions align with government policy to prevent and suppress natural resource encroachments. All agencies must collaborate carefully, transparently, and strictly adhere to the law, especially in economically valuable areas. Comprehensive evidence verification is essential to ensure legal enforcement is correct and decisive.
The areas inspected are those where the Department of Lands has revoked land titles, and the Department of National Parks has posted notices requiring occupants to remove constructions within legally prescribed timeframes. Failure to comply will result in authorities seeking court orders to demolish the structures and reclaim costs from offenders. He also instructed the Department of Lands to expedite investigations of suspected unlawful title issuances in conservation and adjacent areas, with strict, nondiscriminatory legal action against violations.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Suraphol Boonma said that Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has instructed all agencies to enforce government policy rigorously, based on equality, transparency, and nondiscrimination. Enforcement actions will be accelerated in areas where courts have issued final rulings to reclaim natural resources for the public, with no leniency or favoritism toward influential individuals or business groups.
Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, revealed that six encroachment cases in Sirinath National Park are currently being expedited. Two have final court judgments, and enforcement notices have been issued requiring occupants to remove structures and vacate the land within legal deadlines. Noncompliance will prompt immediate demolition by authorities.
The first case concerns a hotel and villas occupying over 13 rai in Sakoo subdistrict, Thalang District. The Supreme Court ordered revocation of land titles and demolition after finding encroachment in Sirinath National Park. The second case involves about 12 rai in Choeng Thale subdistrict, Thalang District, where the court ruled occupants to vacate after discovering forged Sor Kor 1 documents used in title issuance. Enforcement covers more than 25 rai in total.
Additionally, the Department of National Parks is preparing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Interior and Department of Lands to integrate verification and revocation of unlawfully issued land titles, expedite legal proceedings more effectively, and expand investigations into other conservation areas potentially affected by improper title issuance.
The task force confirmed it will continuously advance the "Phuket Model" as a prototype for integrated legal enforcement to reclaim the country's natural resources, accelerating title revocations, enforcement actions, and restoration of conservation forests, ensuring Sirinath National Park remains public heritage for current and future generations.