Thailand Officials Investigate Fake Land Title Deeds in Phuket

Thailand’s Department of National Parks is reigniting its efforts to examine Sor Kor 1 land title deeds in Phuket’s Sirinat National Park to expose illegal encroachment and recover the rightful public land, according to the Bangkok Post.

Over 370 land plots totaling in about 2,700 rai (roughly 1,092 acres) are suspected to be encroaching on the national park’s land.

Thailand property law does not allow individuals to possess private land title deeds for public land.

“According to a report from the Sirinath National Park chief, some privately held plots still encroach on the park’s land. We have to work fast to get that land back before they build more on it,” said Chatchawal Suksomjit, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, reported the Phuket Gazette.

The Commander of the Royal Thai Navy, Narong Pipathanasai, confirmed to the Phuket Gazette on July 14 that “the ownership of 89 plots of land… is in the process of being revoked,” and all Sor Kor 1 documents issued in Phuket are being examined.

Additionally, at least two local Phuket government offices may be involved in the alleged illegal issuance of the false deeds, according to Bangkok Post.

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