Phetchabun - Local authorities are preparing to knock down 11 illegally built resorts on the popular Phu Thap Boek mountain destination after the owners defied an order to dismantle them.
Deputy provincial governor Kris Khongmuang announced the impending crackdown after a meeting on Saturday of officials responsible for carrying out the National Council for Peace and Order's order No 35/59 regarding the illegal resorts on Phu Thap Boek in Lom Kao district.
The NCPO ordered 14 resorts in a cluster of illegally built resorts in an area known as Group 3 to be dismantled. Three have already moved out and pulled down their constructions themselves, Mr Kris said.
The remaining 11 resort owners, who are non-Phetchabun residents, refuse to comply with the order.
They are Phu Kratop Ngoen, Zew Land, Rai Phu Saeng Tawan, Rai Lung Hang Phue Thap Boek, Rai Hom Mali, Panorama coffee shop, Phu Rai Khao Fang, Koh Kae Phu Thap Boek, Montorio coffee shop, Kong Fang Tent and Thap Boek Indie.
The authorities will dismantle the resorts between Wednesday and Friday.
The Phetchabun provincial court, meanwhile, has ordered another resort, Phu Nap Dao, to be demolished by Dec 30 for illegal buildings on the mountain. The owner has been accused of failing to follow the demolition order. The authorities plan to begin the demolition on Jan 5 if the deadline passes with no action being taken.
In a previous operation, a total of 19 illegal resorts on Phu Thap Boek mountain were knocked down by the authorities between Aug 19 and Sept 28, costing the state more than 2.35 million baht.
Officials have sent the bills to the resort operators.
Phu Thap Boek was originally reserved for the resettlement of Hmong hilltribe people. However, some highlanders have been accused of leasing their land to outsiders who built resorts.