A 2.1-billion-baht condo project in Phuket has been demolished after the Supreme Administrative Court ruled in November last year that the land ownership document issued for the location is illegal.
The court ruled the Peak Resident project was located on forest land covering 17 rai in tambon Karon, Muang district, and the land document issued for it was against the Forest Act.
Citing an aerial view of the location, the court said the project's site was on evergreen forests and the area had never been occupied for any use. Since the land document was illegal, so was the construction, the court said.
Karon mayor Lt Jadet Witcharasorn said the project's owner previously sought permission to conduct the demolition but had a problem moving debris from the site.
Last week, the company again asked for permission, and tambon Karon municipality gave the go-ahead.
The company then started dismantling some structures, Lt Jadet said, adding the company must clear all structures from the area.
A source at the Phuket forest protection unit said that once all the project's structures are cleared away, forestry officials will move in and plant new trees at the location and ensure there will be no encroachment in the area again.
Local administrative organisations, community leaders and residents will be encouraged to work together to manage and protect the forest area, the source said.
The 2.1-billion-baht exclusive hillside condominium and villa project was targeted by Palang Pracharath Party MP for Bangkok, Sira Jenjaka, who claimed it occupied land that had its Nor Sor 3 Kor paper revoked.
Mr Sira was embroiled in a conflict with local police when he travelled to Phuket in August 2019 and visited the project site.
Work had been suspended pending a Supreme Administrative Court ruling on its land status.
He visited the area to investigate whether the land ownership document was legally issued, who was involved in issuing it, and whether the condominium developer had obtained permission legally. During his visit, Mr Sira argued with a senior policeman after he said he was "not receiving protection from local police".
He claimed he was the target of a death threat over his investigation into the project.