Phuket court fight puts 669 households at risk of eviction

Over 3,000 residents of Khok Tanod community in Chalong, Phuket are in need of government assistance as 669 households face potential eviction due to a prolonged dispute over privately owned land. Community members from Moo 9 submitted a petition to the Phuket Damrongdhama Centre, requesting official support during the legal proceedings and housing aid for families who may be displaced.

Many households are low-income and lack alternative residences. The official Phuket public relations office confirms the community's identification as Moo 9 in Chalong. The dispute has resulted in numerous eviction and demolition cases, some of which have reached the Supreme Court level. The provincial administration cannot override or influence court rulings, but residents involved in ongoing litigation can provide further evidence.

A 2015 report by the Community Organisations Development Institute (CODI) highlights that private ownership claims and evictions affecting over 600 Khok Tanod families were already underway in 2005. The Phuket Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security has initiated registration for impacted families, allowing one representative per household to apply for welfare support.

If families lose their homes, they may be directed to temporary housing provided by the Centre for the Protection of the Destitute, though the duration is limited. For those who need to rent elsewhere but cannot afford initial costs, emergency financial aid may be available. The province is exploring the CODI's Baan Mankong programme as a longer-term solution, which assists lower-income communities in securing land and constructing housing through collective agreements, including negotiated land tenure and community-managed financing.

The MP notes that prior attempts to organize the broader Khok Tanod community were unsuccessful due to economic pressures and a lack of sustained engagement. Officials are now proposing a savings group to enable participating households to access Baan Mankong funding, along with negotiations for a 3 to 20-year lease with the private landowner.

The province will collaborate with relevant agencies, including the Provincial Electricity Authority, to maintain electricity access and other essential services while residents seek housing alternatives.