Forest Department to file charges against MP Pareena over alleged land encroachment
The Royal Forest Department (RFD) will file charges against Ratchaburi member of Parliament Pareena Kraikup of the ruling Phalang Pracharat Party after months of investigation revealed that her Khao Son 2 chicken farm in Rangbua subdistrict in the the Jombeung district allegedly encroached on protected forestland.
The department said that in the first case, a 387 rai, 80 square wah land area of the Khao Son chicken farm has been used for commercial purposes, and a barbed wire fence erected and animal barns constructed in violation of the National Reserved Forest Act 1964 and Forest Act 1941. The plaintiff in this case is Chiwaphab Chiwatham, director of Forest Conservation and Forest Fire Prevention Office, Royal Forest Department.
In the second case, a 207-rai, 2 ngarn, 41 sq wah land adjacent to the Khao Son chicken farm had also been used for animal farming. The plaintiff in this case is Naruphon Thipmontha, director of Prevention and Special Activity Division and head of Phayak Prai Special Unit, Royal Forest Department.
In the third case, 70 rai, 2 ngarn and 32 sq wah land adjacent to the Khao Son chicken farm has been used for eucalyptus plantation. The plaintiff in this case is Phattana Sirimai, director of Ratchaburi Forest Centre.
The department investigated 665 rai, 1 ngarn and 53 sq.wah of total land owned by Pareena, on suspicion that they encroached on forestland. “The Royal Forest Department will file the charges at the Natural Resources and Environment-related Crime Suppression Division on Saturday [February 15],” RFD director-general Attapol Charoenchansa added.
Update: At 11am investigation officers at Natural Resources and Environment-related Crime Suppression Division accepted the cases and are now reviewing the details.
