Thai authorities began demolishing unauthorised structures at Phuket's Freedom Beach on Sunday, 8 November, a day after police arrested four people accused of selling protected forest land in deals worth more than 20 million baht.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin led the operation, named "Checkmate Three Billion", at the beach in Karon, in Phuket's Muang district. The work was carried out on the instructions of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and involved the Phuket governor, forest officers, national parks staff and police.

The case centres on land in the Khao Nak Kerd National Reserved Forest behind the beach. Investigators say a land document, Sor Kor 1 No. 419, which related to a different plot, was allegedly used to claim rights at Freedom Beach, pursue title deeds and market the land to buyers.

Four arrests after fraud investigation

Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau and Provincial Police Region 8 arrested four members of one family: a man known locally as Sia Lek of Freedom Beach, his wife, his adult daughter and his son-in-law. The Criminal Court had issued arrest warrants for the four, and they were taken to the Crime Suppression Division for legal proceedings. The suspects deny the charges, according to Thai media reports.

Investigators allege the family claimed to hold valid title deeds for plots in the reserved forest and sold them to Thai and foreign buyers. Officials say Thai buyers were charged three to five million baht per rai, while foreign buyers were offered land for up to 16 million baht per rai. A two-storey house at the beach was allegedly sold to a Russian couple for 16 million baht.

The wider scheme is alleged to have involved land valued at around three billion baht, which is why the operation was given its name. The minister said evidence had been gathered on encroachment and fraudulent land sales, and that authorities would work to secure compensation for buyers who were misled.

Beach to reopen free of charge

Heavy machinery moved in after the arrests to remove structures from the beach, including a concrete staircase of around 70 to 80 steps that officials say was used to collect illegal entrance fees. Thai PBS reported that the operation covers 24 encroachment cases across 63 rai, with a first phase targeting 22 structures, and that work is expected to take about seven days.

Chomklin said the government intended to return Freedom Beach to the public and allow Thai citizens to reach it without paying fees. Fees for foreign visitors may be considered under the law to fund maintenance, toilets, security and conservation, he said.

Forest officers and staff from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources will be deployed to prevent further encroachment and protect the reclaimed area. The Royal Forest Department said a recreational forest of 41 rai had already been developed beside the beach, with a long-term goal of restoring 260 rai of beachfront to its natural state.

"Freedom beach is beautiful, and today's operation is aimed at ensuring free access to the beach for all Thais," Chomklin said during the operation. "This beach belongs to the people of Thailand. We cannot allow it to be exploited by a few at the expense of the many."