Freedom Beach to become free-access tourist destination

14 Sept 01:23 Key points summarised by AI

Deputy interior ministers visited Freedom Beach in Phuket, signaling a renewed government effort to reclaim the area from illegal encroachers and organized crime charging entry fees.
This visit follows a major purge of Phuket's provincial administration for its prolonged failure to address "dark influences" and illegal land encroachment on state land.
Encroachers, including one identified as "Sia Lek," have been illegally charging tourists 100 baht and vendors for services, despite the beach being part of a forest reserve where land ownership certificates are impossible.
The government plans to develop Freedom Beach into a quality, free-access tourist destination, assuring the public of its determination to resolve chronic problems in Phuket.

Three eastern provinces may endure flooding for another month

Yesterday 13:06 Key points summarised by AI

Three eastern provinces face another month of severe flooding, with 1.7 billion cubic meters of water yet to be drained due to natural bottlenecks and high tides limiting outflow to the Gulf of Thailand.
Natural drainage through the Bang Pakong River is significantly hampered by high tides, while an underwater ridge (Khlong Lang Tao) further obstructs water diversion to coastal pumping stations.
Experts propose engineering solutions, such as diverting water through canals to large pumping stations, to accelerate drainage and shorten the flood duration compared to relying solely on natural routes.
Recovery timelines vary by province, with some areas potentially taking 10-20 more days, underscoring the critical need for coordinated inter-agency efforts and efficient pump allocation to mitigate the prolonged impact on residents.