Hundreds of illegal resorts face demolition in Nakhon Ratchasima

The scenic district of Wang Nam Khiao in Nakhon Ratchasima is witnessing a massive government crackdown as over 400 resorts face the threat of demolition for encroaching on public land.

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry launched inspections, spearheaded by Thanadol Suwannarit, chairman of the ministry’s task force on illegal land ownership under the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO).

This aggressive move began with a high-profile raid on the Golden Mountain Resort, a prominent establishment situated on 73 rai of land. This raid, a joint effort involving the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), uncovered illegal activities.

The resort is co-owned by a former local politician, known as Kamnan Nor, and two other individuals. Kamnan Nor, a familiar name in the political circles of Nakhon Ratchasima, served as MP from 2007 to 2018 and has been affiliated with multiple political parties, including the Puea Pandin Party, the Bhumjaithai Party, the Palang Pracharath Party, and the Thai Local Power Party.

The legal troubles for these co-owners began in 2013 when they were charged with land encroachment by the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Reform Office. The case was settled in 2018, with a court ruling demanding the demolition of the resort and the restoration of the land by 2020. Additionally, the owners were fined 1.98 million baht in damages with interest.

With Minister Thamanat Prompow’s directive, Alro is set to demolish Golden Mountain Resort, which boasts 18 buildings. Plans are also underway to file a civil case against encroaching resort owners to seek compensation and cover demolition costs.

The Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Reform Office will inspect these resorts to determine the necessity of demolition and pursue court orders accordingly. Criminal charges are also on the table for those found guilty of encroachment.

Support for the government’s initiative is strong among residents, who hope to see the reclaimed land used for public benefit, rented out, or allocated to landless farmers. The decisive actions of Alro signal a significant shift in land management and public interest in the region, reported Bangkok Post.