The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has reached a deal with the owners of 23 resorts for them to voluntarily demolish and remove their buildings built illegally in Khao Laem Ya-Koh Samet National Park in Rayong.
Natthaphol Rattanaphan, director of the department's office overseeing national marine parks, said the department had signed a memorandum of understanding with 13 operators owning 23 illegal resort buildings to dismantle the buildings by Feb 19.
If any of them fails to honour the agreement, the department would begin razing their resorts after the deadline has passed and sue them for the costs, he said.
Seven other resort owners refused to sign the deal, arguing they had the right to occupy the land because they have been living in the area for a long time, he said.