PHUKET: Phuket City Hall has ordered a private company to dismantle 14 buildings along the province's Paradise beach.
Speaking at City Hall Thursday, Phuket governor Jamroen Thippayapongthada said he instructed local administrative authorities to reclaim land on Paradise Beach in tambon Patong of Kathu district from Paradise Beach Management Co Ltd.
A demolition order was also issued by tambon Patong municipality regarding the company's 14 buildings. The order said the owner is required to dismantle the structures within 30 days.
The seizure was conducted after the Supreme Court earlier ordered the firm to return the land to the Agricultural Land Reform Office as the probe found the company cited Sor Khor 1, a form which indicates land ownership for farming purposes only.
It is alleged the buildings were constructed without permission from the municipality.
Paradise Beach facilities have been built into a full resort, with a restaurant, shops and a 'half moon' party every month.
The demolition order was made in line with the National Council for Peace and Order's plan to take legal action against public land encroachers so they could reclaim the land for public use.
Phuket City Hall then ordered vendors and businessmen to dismantle their structures which trespassed on public areas in the province.
Mr Jamroen said pulling down the 14 buildings on Paradise beach will have to be conducted according to the Building Control Act. He said he assigned his deputy Chokdee Amornwat to oversee the issue.
As for a dispute on land plots on the province's Rawai beach between sea gypsies and Baron World Trade Co Ltd, Mr Jamroen insisted their land ownership must be proved in court as it was beyond the authority of city hall. Phuket City Hall had no authority to rule who was right or wrong.
Paradise operators have advertised a 'Full Moon Spin On' beach party Saturday.
"The 4th Army Region is discussing a solution with the authorities, representatives of the Rawai gypsies and the company. Land title deeds and other documents must be presented to the court to prove land ownership," he said.
Mr Jamroen also urged the sea gypsies to comply with the law as Baron World Trade also held land title deeds. He warned both sides not to resort to violence.
On Jan 27, about 20 sea gypsies were injured in a clash with a group of men after a path through Rawai beach to reach their ritual site was claimed by Baron World Trade, the land owner.
The sea gypsies claimed the company planned to build seaside villas in the area.
Talks between the two sides brokered by the provincial authority failed to produce a solution.
However, according to the Department of Special Investigation, tests on human bones collected in the area found the gypsies had occupied the area for more than 100 years. They claim rights to the land which they say supercede those conferred by land title deeds.
The DSI found the company's land titles could have been wrongfully issued, as local sea gypsies had lived there previously.
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