Hua Hin to begin beachfront clearance, public urged not to obstruct officials
Hua Hin will begin beachfront clearance work on Friday, 30 October, with the municipality urging the public not to obstruct officials as it prepares to demolish 15 buildings encroaching on the beach between the Fishing Pier and the Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine.
Municipal enforcement officers, legal officers, demolition contractors and 30 officers from Hua Hin Police Station are scheduled to assemble at the Fishing Pier forecourt at 10am. A further 40 crowd-control police officers will be on standby.
The initial work will involve breaking up the concrete floor remaining at the site of a previously demolished house and removing signs and other items around the access point at the junction of Dechanuchit Road and Naresdamri Road.
Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul outlined the preparations following a meeting on Thursday, 29 October, with Hua Hin Assistant District Chief Kiatphong Phonsuwan, municipal executives and relevant agencies.
“I would like to ask residents in the area not to obstruct the municipality’s work, because we do not want to pursue legal action that would lead to the court issuing arrest warrants,” Mr Nopporn said.
The municipality will coordinate with the relevant agencies to disconnect water and electricity supplies to affected buildings, providing advance warning before disconnections take place. Mr Nopporn said the measure was necessary to ensure the safety of officials entering the properties.
The municipality is also gathering information to pursue criminal proceedings against 26 alleged encroachers. Fifteen cases fall under the municipality’s responsibility and 11 under the Marine Department.
“From Monday, 2 November, our legal team will begin filing complaints with the police to pursue criminal proceedings against those who have defied the orders,” Mr Nopporn said.
Officials will record video footage of any obstruction or violence and issue warnings in stages. If those involved continue to defy officials, evidence will be compiled and submitted to the court to seek arrest warrants.
The demolition operation follows a Supreme Administrative Court ruling that upheld the municipality’s orders prohibiting use of the buildings and requiring their removal.
The municipality said legal officers had regularly visited the area to explain the law, demolition notices and procedures for complying with the final ruling. It said it was legally required to carry out its duties.
Mr Nopporn said machinery would also be used to improve areas where demolition had been completed so the land could be returned to public use.