DNP speeding up checks on land encroachment

DNP's chief Damrong Phidet said his officials are now conducting an investigation into alleged encroachment on national park areas in Phuket. “ Everything must be done within 30 days,” he said.
The officials found that some areas were issued a land document Sor Dor 1 in 1964 and these lands were later issued land title deeds in 1989 without any evidence to prove land ownership.
Forest land encroachment in Phuket province followed a cabinet resolution which allowed people to occupy the land in 1975. Many natural resources and much forest were destroyed during the next 37 years, Damrong said.
“ To resolve forest encroachment in Phuket province, the government must cancel this cabinet resolution,” he said.
In a related development, the 25th Infantry Division has teamed up with Ranong provincial natural resources and environment office to confiscate 45 rai of rubber plantation encroaching on Namtok Ngao National Park in Ranong province.
The official found that senior officials in La Onn district had been involved in the land encroachment.
Klanarong Chantrik, a member of the National AntiCorruption Commission (NACC), said his panel would take 90 days to investigate forest land encroachment on Mount Khao Phaeng on Surat Thani province's Samui Island.
The preliminary investigation alleged some owners were issued landrights documents for land plots beyond the authorized zone.
Pol.Lt.Col Pravuth Wongseenil, director of the Department of Special Investigation's Consumer and Environment Protection Bureau, said Thailand was now utilising satellite imagery to indicate whether plots were located in forest reserves or not.
“ We have experts who can interpret the satellite imagery, information [not available to people outside], ” he said.
Sangchom Pojsompong, a satellite image interpreter, said politicians and wealthy people at times used their influence to force officials to issue land ownership documents for them in forest areas.