TRANG — 21 Jan 2026, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 9 said on Wednesday it is investigating the construction of a hotel in Trang province over suspected encroachment on public land and irregularities in building permits, ordering relevant state agencies to report their findings within 30 days.
NACC Region 9 announced the results of a fact-finding visit to a site in Bang Rak subdistrict, Muang Trang district, following tips about the approval process for a hotel project. The inspection took place on 13 Jan 2026 and involved provincial and district administrative officials, the head of the Bang Rak Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and NACC officials from Trang.
The inquiry followed widespread discussion on social media that raised questions and concerns about whether state officials had properly carried out their duties. NACC Region 9 said the inspection was part of its proactive corruption-prevention work.
Officials found 10 guestroom units and two pool villas had been built in a manner resembling a hotel or rental accommodation. By the time inspectors arrived, the pool villas had already been dismantled, and furnishings and facilities had been removed from the 10-room building. A lawyer representing the property owner said the remaining structures would be demolished and the site restored to its original condition within 30 days.
Preliminary checks found that the construction permit issued by the Bang Rak Subdistrict Administrative Organisation did not match the number of buildings actually built. Only eight rooms had been registered with the provincial hotel registrar. Investigators also found that the land title deed submitted for the construction permit already contained other permanent structures and that the hotel buildings were not constructed on the land covered by the deed used in the application.
NACC Region 9 has asked the Bang Rak Subdistrict Administrative Organisation to review whether the construction approval complied with the Building Control Act of 1979 and other relevant laws. Administrative officers have been asked to examine whether the hotel registration followed the Hotel Act of 2004 and related regulations and notifications.
The Bang Rak Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and Muang Trang district have also been tasked with jointly determining whether the project encroached on land designated for public use under local administration laws and Interior Ministry regulations on the protection of state land for common use. NACC Region 9 representatives have already sought cooperation from the Trang provincial land office to help expedite the review.
NACC Region 9 said it has requested all relevant agencies to act within their legal authority and submit their findings within 30 days, after which the commission will make the results public.