FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Thanathorn, his mum and sister sued for alleged forest land encroachment

Thanathorn, his mum and sister sued for alleged forest land encroachment

The Royal Forest Department on Thursday filed a police complaint at Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division against Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, his mother Somporn and his sister Chanaphan for allegedly encroaching on national forest land in Ratchaburi province.

“The department had started investigating the lands owned by Somporn in Ratchaburi’s Jombeung district since December last year,” department director-general Adisorn Noochdumrong said. “We found that the three owned more than 2,100 rai [496 hectares] of forest land based on 60 title deeds, which had been illegally issued by officials of Jombeung district office.”

According to Adisorn, Somporn held 53 title deeds of 1,940-3-93 rai of land, while Chanaphan held 5 title deeds of 132-0-22 rai of land, while Thanathorn held two title deeds of 81-3-67 rai of land. Combined, the lands owned by the three are 2,154-3-82 rai, which are now being used for eucalyptus plantation.

“The title deeds had been issued in 1978, but the land in these areas had been announced as national forest land since 1969,” said Adisorn.

The department filed criminal and civil charges, demanding compensation of Bt147.06 million from the three members of the Juangroongruangkit family, as well as from five officials -- Waniphop Thamwiset, Ruam Chalitkomut, Phairoj Rattanawisalnon, Kosol Laksitanon, and Chaleomwong Sappasiri -- of the Jombeung district office who are allegedly involved in the survey and issuance of title deeds, he said.

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