Illegal land grab in Hua Hin mountains

Post by **buksida** » Thu May 14, 2015 10:24 am

Military officers and natural resources officials were on Wednesday dispatched to Khao Nong Samore and Khao Don Tabaek in Hua Hin to find out if there was any forest encroachment as complained by villagers.

After a thorough examination of the terrain, the team found out that about 13 rai of land which is close to Rudeewanalai palace was fenced off by unknown persons. Further check with the land office in Prachuab Khiri Khan showed that no land documents have been issued for this specific plot of land.

The officials also found out that land documents were issued for some land plots next to the plot examined on Wednesday despite the fact that land documents should not have been issued because of the mountainous terrain.

Source: Thaipbs

Post by **Gregjam** » Thu May 14, 2015 7:06 pm

Out of interest, where is this palace as I have mentioned the names in the report and none of the family understand the name when I say it probably due to poor pronounciation.

Post by **Big Boy** » Thu May 14, 2015 8:07 pm

Is it anything to do with the land on Soi 88, just up the hill from the law courts? About a year ago there was a lot of fuss about a resort there built on public land and they said it had to be demolished. There was a lot of news coverage at the time with helicopters circling the area. It was closed soon after that.

Drove past it yesterday, and I see its open again, so maybe not as public as they thought

Post by **hhinner** » Fri May 15, 2015 1:31 pm

I believe the hills and "palace" are in the locations shown in the map:

: ruedeewanalai.JPG (158.22 KiB) Viewed 882 times

The two red X's are the hills. You can search google maps for Khao Nong Smo and Khao Don Tabaek.
The blue X is the approximate location of the palace: Phra Tamnak Wanalai (พระตำหนักวนาลัย).
The green X is Wat Smor Phrong (for reference).

Some other locations can just about be made out, such as Black Mountain Golf Club and the water park.

Searching Google for images of พระตำหนักวนาลัย produces quite a few, including recent ones related to this news.

Cheers.

Post by **STEVE G** » Fri May 15, 2015 2:00 pm

....despite the fact that land documents should not have been issued because of the mountainous terrain.

I remember reading some time ago that in Thailand, anything above a certain gradient is considered mountain and you can't do anything with it as it's public land. There are a few properties that you can see around Hua Hin that are clearly in breach that regulation, although I don't know if people have papers for them or if they're just land encroachment.

Post by **Big Boy** » Fri May 15, 2015 2:35 pm

They've obviously 'found a way' for the resort in post 3.

Post by **hhinner** » Fri May 15, 2015 3:03 pm

Sorry, I got the Thai name of the palace wrong - I missed out the ruedee bit. It should be พระตำหนักฤดีวนาลัย.

Post by **STEVE G** » Fri May 15, 2015 3:04 pm

Big Boy wrote:They've obviously 'found a way' for the resort in post 3.

Yes, it's the same with all those Hollywood style villas that you see for sale on hills in Phuket for silly amounts of money.

Post by **Gregjam** » Fri May 15, 2015 3:13 pm

Excellent Big Boy, thanks for rooting out the information. Expending energy on working out correct Thai spelling is not something my family seem keen on and google maps lack names in that area on my computer. I actually rode up the lane leading to the palace once checking out potential cycling routes and never really noted the name.

Post by **Big Boy** » Fri May 15, 2015 3:18 pm

You're very welcome

However, it wasn't me.

Post by **Gregjam** » Fri May 15, 2015 6:03 pm

Okay, I should have thanked hhinner, probably distracted by her who shall be obeyed. I am used to seeing lots of useful posts from Big Boy anyway so he deserves thanks for his input regardless. That's twice in a couple of days I have not been paying attention, cannot even blame alcohol!

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