PHUKET: The long-running Sirinath property saga is about to enter its final phase with investigators so confident of success that they are already trying to determine the future of at least one five-star resort.
''Under present laws, any parkland taken over for private use would have to be returned to its natural state,'' one of the key investigators told Phuketwan yesterday on condition of anonymity. ''But that would be extremely expensive and a waste of a beautiful resort.
''Restoring the sites to nature could cost 10 billion baht. There must be some way some of the constructions can be used for the betterment of Phuket's parklands.''
The cases involving alleged encroachment around the borders of Sirinath National Park on Phuket have yet to be concluded. Any court action that results could last for years.
According to a source, two of the border properties - Malaiwana and Naithon beach Resort - have been found to have mostly sound chanote property title documents.
Another 17 cases have been passed to the Land Department with the conclusion that the deeds are illegal.
On Friday, the Department of Special Investigation and the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department team up to begin a new phase of the investigation of 700 more suspect titles involving 3600 rai of allegedly appropriated Phuket parkland.
Lots will be drawn so that investigators from all over Thailand form five-person teams. Sixteen teams will be created, and those teams will again draw lots on which properties they probe and in which order.
A former Phuket governor is among the individuals accused of conspiring with others, including officials in the land titles office, to permit the takeover of public land.
Damrong ''The Demolisher'' Pidech, who has since retired from his role as Director General of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, began the campaign to check Phuket park border titles and reclaim those found to be illegal back in July 2012.
''Under present laws, any parkland taken over for private use would have to be returned to its natural state,'' one of the key investigators told Phuketwan yesterday on condition of anonymity. ''But that would be extremely expensive and a waste of a beautiful resort.
''Restoring the sites to nature could cost 10 billion baht. There must be some way some of the constructions can be used for the betterment of Phuket's parklands.''
The cases involving alleged encroachment around the borders of Sirinath National Park on Phuket have yet to be concluded. Any court action that results could last for years.
According to a source, two of the border properties - Malaiwana and Naithon beach Resort - have been found to have mostly sound chanote property title documents.
Another 17 cases have been passed to the Land Department with the conclusion that the deeds are illegal.
On Friday, the Department of Special Investigation and the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department team up to begin a new phase of the investigation of 700 more suspect titles involving 3600 rai of allegedly appropriated Phuket parkland.
Lots will be drawn so that investigators from all over Thailand form five-person teams. Sixteen teams will be created, and those teams will again draw lots on which properties they probe and in which order.
A former Phuket governor is among the individuals accused of conspiring with others, including officials in the land titles office, to permit the takeover of public land.
Damrong ''The Demolisher'' Pidech, who has since retired from his role as Director General of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, began the campaign to check Phuket park border titles and reclaim those found to be illegal back in July 2012.
Great to see the authorities still moving on this. A positive sign and something other authorities could learn from.
Posted by Duncan on December 9, 2014 09:47