The Environment Minister has ordered the immediate reclamation of more than four rai of public forest illegally occupied by a tourist establishment on the island of Koh Samui.
The minister Suchart Chomklin announced that he had instructed the Forestry Department to coordinate the actions of the various agencies in order to firmly suppress encroachments on public lands. This operation forms part of the policy of the government led by Anutin Charnvirakul, which intends to recover State-owned land and enforce the law without exception.
According to information provided by the Director-General of the Forestry Department, Nikorn Sirirojnanon, a large group of investors had illegally occupied a forest area on the island of Koh Samui to operate a tourist business. The minister immediately ordered an on-site intervention.
On 22 July 2026, a joint team led by Udomsak Palakawong na Ayudhya, Director of Forest Resource Management Office, carried out an inspection of the site located in Tin Tha village, Koh Samui district, Surat Thani province. The checks revealed an encroachment of 4 rai, 3 ngan and 35 wa (approx. 7740 sqm) on land classified as forest under the 1941 Act.
Thirty-three structures were seized. The matter has been referred to the local authorities for the preparation of reports and legal proceedings.
Suchart Chomklin stressed the need to pursue investigations to their conclusion and to sanction those responsible, whoever they may be.
« The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment will not tolerate anyone profiting illegally from State assets, whether influential individuals, investors or capital groups. Any illegal occupation will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. »
The establishment in question, a private tourist viewpoint, offered visitors paid access to enjoy the panorama from within a protected forest area for 200 bahts.
