Thai officials to stop illegal resorts on mountain peak

Officials will clamp down on a mountain peak in Thailand overrun with illegal resorts, according to Thai media reports.

Huge cabbages at to Phu Tub Boek, a mountain in Phetchabun province. Image by Theerawit Wachiranugoon / CC BY 2.0

Phu Thap Boek, the highest mountain peak in Phetchabun province, has become home to some illegal resorts and restaurants, some of which encroach on the land of locals, collectively known as hilltribe people, reports the Bangkok Post.

Authorities will now set out a plan to address the increased development in the emerging tourist area, which, since the 1960s, has been used as resettlement areas for hilltribe people.

The department of social development and welfare will investigate whether the owners of the resorts are hilltribe people, who are entitled to the land, reports the Post. Those who are not will face eviction and legal action.

According to the Post, 62 resorts have been built without official oversight and 10 operators are currently in the process of being evicted.

As the area is on a mountain, it is at risk of landslides and some of the resorts may pose safety risks to guests.