BANGKOK, 31 May 2013 The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has demolished shops on Samet Island and Rayong’s Mae Rampueng beach in a bid to solve the land encroachment problem in the area.
According to Department chief Manopat Huamuangkaew, over 60 shops situated in the national park have been torn down. Vendors have been given the option to set up businesses temporarily with tents and umbrellas. All sales equipment is to be removed by 10 pm on a daily basis.
Shop owners have also been instructed to close down their shops one day a week, as maintenance and cleaning operations will be conducted on the day.
Mr Manopat elaborated that as part of the long-term solution to land encroachment, the department will use aerial images to track down businesses that illegally occupied public land.
