PHUKET, THAILAND – More than 100 officials carried out a large-scale operation at Freedom Beach in Karon targeting land encroachment, illegal buildings and banned entrance fees.
Major operation in national forest
The raid took place in the Nak-Kerd-Mountain National Reserved Forest area and was coordinated by Phuket Vice Governor Rungreung Thimabutr. Several agencies joined the operation, including Forest Resource Management Office 12 (Krabi branch), Phuket Forest Center, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, Border Patrol Police 425 and Karon Police Station.
According to officials, the action followed a formal order issued on 11 March 2026. That order was based on complaints about extensive intrusions into the protected forest area.
Reports to authorities stated that houses, shops and resort-style structures had been built in the area. These facilities were allegedly controlled by influential individuals, prompting closer scrutiny from law enforcement.
Complaints over extensive encroachment
Investigators said the complaints described a “broad” takeover of land within the forest reserve. The allegations focused on both physical construction and the commercial use of what is designated as public land.
Officials treated the matter as a potential case of systematic land encroachment. They moved to inspect disputed plots and document any structures and business activities linked to the reported expansion.
On site, officers found that visitors were being charged 300 Baht each to access the beach. Authorities assessed this fee as illegal because the beach lies on public land inside a national forest reserve and cannot be commercially exploited by private parties.
Tourists asked to pay 300 Baht
The inspection teams confirmed that tourists were requested to pay an entrance fee of 300 Baht per person. This payment was reportedly required simply to pass through to the shoreline.
Authorities stressed that land within a national reserved forest must remain accessible as public property. They concluded that collecting money for access to the beach violated regulations governing the use of forest reserve areas.
Along Freedom Road, which links Karon and Patong, officials also discovered several makeshift huts. These structures were located along the route leading down towards the beach area.
Huts, chainsaws and a firearm
In one hut, officers encountered a resident as well as a firearm and ammunition, according to the operation report. Other shelters contained chainsaws and tools used for construction activities.
The presence of equipment for building work raised further concerns about ongoing or planned expansion. Officials documented the locations and items as part of evidence-gathering for possible legal proceedings.
Suspects linked to the collection of access fees and to the illegal possession of the weapon were detained. They were then handed over to Karon Police for further investigation.
Arrests and ongoing investigations in Karon
Parallel to the arrests, authorities recorded signs of a larger, resort-style development in the area. They noted structures and facilities that suggested a coordinated project rather than isolated buildings.
Officials also found signs indicating claimed ownership of surrounding plots. These signs were taken as potential evidence of attempts to assert private rights over land inside the forest reserve.
Forest officers announced that additional inspections were scheduled for 18 March. These follow-up checks were intended to review land ownership claims and prepare legal steps where violations were confirmed.
Next inspections and warning to the public
In addition, authorities planned information campaigns for local residents and visitors. These efforts were aimed at reminding the public that forest reserves are public property.
The campaigns were expected to stress that such areas cannot be privately claimed or commercially exploited. Officials said the goal was to prevent future encroachment and protect the integrity of Phuket’s protected forest zones.
The raid at Freedom Beach underscored how a so-called “insider beach” could quickly turn into a commercial venture when oversight and responsibilities diverged. The case has raised questions locally about enforcement against illegal fees and construction.
Residents and visitors have been urged to respect the public status of forest reserves. Authorities emphasized that any private charging for access or unapproved building on such land would be subject to further action.