NationThailand-Feb 28
Thailand’s national parks chief rejected the Royal Thai Survey Department’s claim that 2,900 rai of forested land fell within the range of the agricultural reform zone.
Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, who hails from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said on Wednesday that his argument is based on the royal decree that drew boundaries of national parks nationwide. He said his map of park boundaries had been used to file charges against encroachers over the past 30 years, so it cannot be wrong. He was testifying to the House committee on land, natural resources and environment. Chaiwat was referring to an announcement by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow, who said on Tuesday that the Royal Thai Survey Department had informed the premier that the disputed 2,900 rai (464 hectares) of forest land was actually designated for allocation to landless farmers. Earlier, Chaiwat and Khao Yai park chief Chaiya Huayhongthong protested after park rangers found that the markings of land-reform zones impinged on 2,900 rai of the Khao Yai forests. They alleged that corrupt land reform officials in Nakhon Ratchasima planned to allocate the forests to so-called farmers, who would only resell the land to tycoons to build luxury resorts later. However, the Agricultural Land Reform Office argued that the marking was based on the land reform map it had been given to follow. After the two sides began publicly trading criticism, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered an urgent meeting of executives from the ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Environment. At the meeting, Srettha told them to wait for the results of the survey conducted by the Army. Read more at: https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40035957
