Forestry Dept to evict farmers
The Forestry Department has readied 1,000 men who will move in force today to evict landless farmers who have seized a private company's 1,000-rai oil-palm plantation in Ban Khlong Wai Lek in Krabi's Nua Khlong sub-district.
The department deputy chief Withoon Chalayonnawin yesterday said some 500 landless farmers had refused to leave the plantation where an oil-palm concession by Krabi Ruam Pan Partnerships has become invalid. Despite the authorities’ insistence that the land could not yet be allocated, the landless farmers moved in. They were ordered on December 4 to leave by today.
There was a rally outside Krabi City Hall yesterday, protesting against the forced evictions.
Meanwhile, Nakhon Si Thammarat oil-palm farmers’ association president Somporn Sriphetch said producers in 11 southern provinces have set a meeting for today to talk about a possible mass protest over falling palm-oil prices. The growers are seeking an answer to their request from the government on price guarantees by Thursday.
