37 more cases come to light in Wang Nam Kheow
The Royal Forest Department (RFD) has found another 37 resorts and private homes built in forest reserves in Nakhon Ratchasima province's Wang Nam Kheow district.
Of this number, 17 are resorts located in mountainous areas and 20 are private homes built in zone C forest reserves.
RFD inspector Witoon Chalainanawin, who leads the department's working group, said the department had already conducted an investigation into the 17 resorts and will take legal action against the owners. The 20 private homes are now being investigated.
"These private homes are for sale," he said. "We will ask police to take legal action against these resorts and private homes in the next two days," he added.
Earlier, the RFD took legal action against 22 developers who built resorts and homes, which are expected to be demolished in the next month.
"We are waiting for them to show us their documents to prove ownership of their lands," he said.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has agreed to the RFD's request to conduct a probe into forest encroachment in Wang Nam Kheow district, as the cases involved persons who used their influence to encroach on the forest, he said.
Meanwhile, a group of 30 Wang Nam Kheow officials led by Bhum Jai Thai MP Pranom Phokham has submitted an open letter to RFD chief Suwit Rattanamanee asking him to suspend legal action against suspected developers and villagers involved in the alleged encroachment.
They also asked the RFD to conduct a new survey to demarcate the forest reserve's boundary, claiming the existing boundary overlaps residential areas.
Suwit said he would hand the open letter to the natural resources and environment minister, but added, "We will continue to take legal action against the 22 developers who encroached on forest reserves to build resorts and private homes."
Thai Sa Mak Kee Local Administration Organisation chief Chongkon Sachareon said he would lead a group of 4,000 people to travel to the RFD office and remain there until the land dispute is resolved.
In a related development, a group of developers is gathering evidence in preparation for a legal suit against the RFD.
"The signs installed by the RFD in front of resorts and private homes built in forest reserves only mentioned the prescribed punishments under the Forest Act. It was not an official order," said the group's legal adviser, Prasert Kiatsongpanich.
