Fishermen ordered to demolish Phi Phi Don Island structures

Krabi’s Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park on Tuesday issued a strict order for fisherman to demolish their shelters on Phi Phi Don Island as the shelters were found to be semi-permanent instead of temporary wind-shield sheds as the villagers claimed.

Park officials said the fishermen were from Koh Jum in Nuea Khlong district. They had received an order to remove their “dwellings” on Ao Nang’s Koh Phai way back in 2003.

The structures are located at Rantee, Phak Nam and Loh Lana bays.

The national park said it had already issued two notices to the villagers to demolish their properties – in August and September – but no action was taken after that due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fishermen ordered to demolish Phi Phi Don Island structures However, the Department of National Parks conducted an inspection again in November and found 44 semi-permanent shelters on the rocks along the three bays. The fishermen claimed the shelters were constructed to protect them from the wind.

The department responded that such action was considered to be an attempt to occupy national park areas and was against the law.

The Hat Nopparat Thara-Phi Phi Islands National Park is therefore proceeding with its demand that the "intruders" demolish all structures at the bays immediately.

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Fishermen ordered to demolish Phi Phi Don Island structures