Supreme Court Demolition Order Posted at Famous 277 Keys Resort at Phuket’s Naithon Beach, Managed by Accor Hotels

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Thailand Hotel News: A major enforcement operation unfolded in Phuket on July 10 after senior government officials oversaw the formal posting of demolition orders at the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach Resort following a landmark Supreme Court ruling involving land encroachment within Sirinat National Park.

The move marks one of the most significant legal actions taken against a luxury hospitality development in Thailand in recent years and signals the government’s determination to tighten enforcement against unlawful land occupation in protected conservation areas.

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee travelled to Phuket to personally supervise the enforcement process at the resort in Sakhu, Thalang District, where authorities have been instructed to implement the court’s final ruling. This Thailand Hotel News report comes as officials from multiple government agencies continue expanding investigations into disputed land ownership documents across Phuket, particularly those relating to environmentally protected areas. The Supreme Court revoked land rights covering approximately 13 rai of the resort property after determining that the land falls within Sirinat National Park, ordering occupants to vacate the site, demolish all structures on the affected land, remove their belongings, and cease any further use of the property.

Multi-Agency Enforcement Operation

The Deputy Interior Minister was accompanied by a large delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Lands, and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum, together with provincial officials, also joined the inspection and enforcement exercise.

Authorities formally posted demolition notices throughout the affected section of the resort, advising the occupants that they have the legally prescribed period to comply voluntarily with the court’s ruling. Officials warned that failure to comply within the required timeframe will result in government agencies carrying out the demolition themselves before seeking reimbursement of all associated costs from those held legally responsible.

Speaking after the inspection, Mr. Polapee stressed that government agencies would continue pursuing cases involving land documents suspected of being unlawfully issued within protected conservation zones.

He emphasized that every agency involved must work together carefully, transparently, and strictly within the framework of Thai law, adding that any irregularities discovered during investigations would result in firm legal action without favor or discrimination.

Resort Land at the Centre of Court Ruling

Although officials initially declined to publicly identify the resort during the enforcement operation, Thai media subsequently confirmed that the affected development is the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach Resort, owned by Fair & Firm Co., Ltd. and operating under a management agreement with Pullman, part of the Accor hotel group.

https://www.matichon.co.th/local/news_5799590

The five-star beachfront resort occupies approximately 38 rai of land overlooking Naithon Beach and represents an investment estimated at around 1.5 billion baht. According to officials, the Supreme Court revoked the Nor Sor 3 Kor land-use document covering 13 rai after determining that the parcel lies within Sirinat National Park. Only the specific structures built within the disputed 13-rai national park zone face demolition.

The remaining land occupied by the resort is reportedly covered by separate title deeds, the origins and legal status of which remain under investigation by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Previous Negotiations Failed

Government officials revealed that attempts had previously been made to resolve the matter through discussions between Fair & Firm Co., Ltd. and the Department of National Parks.

In fact, this case on encroachment has been going on for decades but because of political interferences, nothing was ever concluded till now.

https://mgronline.com/politics/detail/9550000111865

During a mediation meeting held on June 10, 2026, company representatives reportedly agreed in principle to remove the affected structures but requested that authorities first conduct a precise boundary survey because several resort buildings extend across multiple adjoining land plots.

However, the Regional Conservation Area Administration Office 5 rejected the proposal, directing Sirinat National Park officials to proceed immediately with legal enforcement based on the Supreme Court’s final judgment. That decision ultimately led to the posting of demolition notices on July 10.

Officials also met company executives during the latest visit to formally advise them that demolition signs would be placed on buildings located within the revoked land area and to reiterate their legal obligations under the court order.

Wider Investigation Across Phuket

Authorities confirmed that the Pullman Phuket Arcadia case forms part of a broader campaign targeting alleged illegal land occupation within Sirinat National Park.

According to the Department of National Parks, six encroachment cases are currently being accelerated through the legal system, with two already reaching final court decisions.

One additional case involves approximately 12 rai of land in Cherng Talay, where courts ruled that forged Sor Kor 1 land documents had been used to obtain title deeds. Occupants in that case have also been ordered to vacate the land following final judicial rulings.

Officials stated that notices have now been issued in both completed cases and warned that compulsory enforcement measures, including demolition where necessary, will proceed if court orders are ignored.

Meanwhile, the Department of Lands has been instructed to speed up investigations into numerous other land title documents suspected of having been unlawfully issued in conservation areas throughout Phuket.

Political Connections Draw Public Attention

The case has also attracted public interest because Thai media reports have linked Fair & Firm Co., Ltd. to prominent Phuket political figure Ms. Anchalee Vanich Thepbut, a former Democrat Party Member of Parliament previously associated with high-profile land reform issues involving SPK 4-01 land.

While those reported connections have generated additional public attention, government officials have consistently maintained that the current enforcement action is based solely on the Supreme Court’s final ruling regarding land ownership and encroachment into protected national park territory.

The case is expected to remain under close scrutiny as authorities continue investigating the legal status of the remaining sections of land occupied by the resort. The outcome could have significant implications not only for the future of the property itself but also for land administration, environmental protection, and future tourism developments located near Thailand’s protected natural areas. The government’s increasingly firm stance demonstrates that luxury developments are not exempt from legal enforcement where courts determine that conservation laws have been violated. As investigations continue across Phuket, hotel operators, developers, investors, and landowners will be watching closely to see how future cases are handled and whether additional enforcement actions emerge from the ongoing review of land documents throughout the island. The proceedings are likely to influence future development practices and reinforce the importance of legal compliance when investing in environmentally sensitive locations.

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