Pattaya —
Pattaya City is taking legal action against businesses over their alleged encroachment on forest land on Koh Larn, said Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manote Nongyai this week.
About 10 rai of forest land close to Sangwan Beach has been cleared, according to a survey conducted by Pattaya city officials. In response, the city has filed a legal complaint against the unidentified encroachers and issued them a notice, urging an immediate halt to any further encroachment on the land, stated Mr. Manote.
The deputy mayor went on to say that the city received information regarding the alleged encroachment from an anonymous local non-profit organization. The name of the organisation had been withheld to avoid them potentially being targeted by the encroachers.
Manote said unauthorized land acquisition has been a persistent issue for many years on Koh Larn. The growing demand for large plots of land for commercial development by tourism businesses has also significantly exacerbated this problem.
Despite being endowed with seven beaches, including Sangwan Beach, Manote pointed out that the island is still struggling with overcrowding, due to an influx of tourists. Up to 10,000 tourists explored the island daily, he said.
There has also been a challenge with the issuance of title deeds and other ownership documents.
The deputy mayor disclosed that the Baan Koh Lan community residents, whose livelihoods rely on farming and fishing, are the primary inhabitants of the area. Nevertheless, a significant number of these residents do not possess proper land ownership documentation and have urged the authorities to resolve these land ownership concerns.
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