Focus on Pak Chong forest encroachment
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THE Nakhon Ratchasima Agricultural Land Reform Office will today look into encroachment cases related to Khao Yai forest in Pak Chong district, while the 2nd Army Area's legal team suggested yesterday that the Land Department review land-ownership docume
Colonel Sommai Busaba, member of the 2nd Army Area’s legal team, said after the land reform office meets, the provincial governor will call a meeting with related agencies in the afternoon to follow-up on overall progress in forest-encroachment cases.
In regard to alleged encroachment on Kho Sied-Ar, Pa Khao Nok Yoong and Pa Khao Ang-Hin forest reserves by Bonanza International Speedway, which also allegedly encroached on land under the land-reform office’s jurisdiction, Sommai said his team would continue monitoring progress because the case came under Pak Chong Police.
He said this case wouldn’t be difficult to handle because officials could check on related documents used to back the land-encroachment allegations, which would also be helpful in interviewing witnesses and charging culprits.
Sommai also urged the Land Department to punish officials who were behind the land documents, as they played a key part in helping encroachers justify their actions.
The official voiced support for the idea of limiting damage to forest reserves by putting the issuing of land documents on hold in “risky areas” such as Pak Chong. Sommai said the Land Department should review the procedure of issuing land-ownership documents to ensure the status of plots is clearly examined first.
“If things are done hastily, they will lead to mistakes and not only will the state suffer damages, but the private sector will also lose money in building structures or making use of the land.”
