Thai police crack down on illegal land deals in Chachoengsao
The National Land Policy Committee (NLPC) collaborated with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Chachoengsao Province Natural Resources and Environmental Office to investigate allegations of illegal land acquisition and durian plantation establishment by private investors in Chachoengsao province.
They have emphasised that illegal land transactions and occupation will face legal action. Reports emerged about a private company acquiring over 1,400 rai of land from locals in Tha Takiap district, within the boundaries of the Khaeo Rabom and Si Yat National Reserved Forests.
Rawiwan Phuridej, Director of the NLPC, instructed Natthawut Pluangthuk, NLPC Assistant Director, to coordinate efforts with the CIB, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, the Royal Forest Department, and Chachoengsao province. They aimed to examine the national reserved forest areas designated for community land allocation.
The investigation revealed that a private company had encroached on 344-0-75 rai of land for durian farming, divided into three sections: 138-2-90 rai allocated by the Royal Forest Department to the provincial governor but not yet distributed to locals, 108-1-3 rai of unallocated forest land, and 97-0-82 rai within the national reserved forest.
Additionally, the NLPC assistant director and his team discovered illegal groundwater wells and ponds within the Khaeo Rabom and Si Yat National Reserved Forests.
Given the legal status of the land as national reserved forest, the NLPC has urged the Chachoengsao Province Natural Resources and Environmental Office and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to file legal complaints.
They are set to discuss with the provincial governor, chairman of the provincial land policy subcommittee, to intensify inspections and investigations of forest encroachments nationwide.
The NLPC will coordinate with the Royal Forest Department to utilise high-resolution satellite imagery for monitoring forest land use, as part of efforts to prevent and address illegal forest encroachments across the country.
The NLPC continues its mission to allocate land for impoverished residents in line with the government’s policy.
It reiterates that areas designated under the NLPC in national reserved forests are state properties allocated to residents following NLPC criteria, prohibiting any sale or illegal possession, which will be met with stringent legal action, reported KhaoSod.
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