Thailand's forests belong to all of us, not just a few

In spite of resistance from local residents, authorities should be encouraged in their efforts to enforce the law and demolish resorts set up by people who have illegally encroached upon the forest in the restricted Wang Nam Kheow preservation area.

On the night of December 19, some local residents attempted to block a road in Nakhon Ratchasima province to express their anger and opposition to National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department officials who demolished structures at two resorts earlier that evening. The protesting residents said the removal of the resorts would make them jobless.

Damrong Phidet, director-general of the Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said that he had ordered his staff to demolish the two resorts at night to avoid confrontations with the local residents. He said that the department had no other choice. The court had ordered eight resorts and bungalow operations to be removed many months ago after these were found to be located in the protected area. But the resort developers refused to comply with the court order. Therefore, the department had to execute the forced demolition.

Our national parks and conservation areas should be preserved to ensure that the delicate balance between human activity and nature is maintained. The existence of the forest provides fresh air and filters out pollutants in the air. The waterways and trees in the forest provide living space for animals and a source of sustainable earnings – if the environment is not abused – for people in the area. Such natural areas belong to the nation as a whole, not to any private interest, no matter how powerful or influential they may be.

Of course, this kind of conflict is not unique to Wang Nam Kheow. There are many other protected areas nationwide that have become the source of disagreements between private interests and the authorities. Part of the problem is that, in some areas, local residents say that these areas were their ancestors’ property. Some farmers say that they have farmed in deserted areas for years. Indeed, some communities were in existence long before the issuance of land-ownership titles. 

The issue of land title deeds can help the government realise land reform proposals if land is distributed fairly. Some farmers have carried out rotational farming in deserted areas for years without any official land-ownership documents, only to see wealthy and powerful people take over that land after ownership documents have been issued. In addition, people in power in local communities – especially investors linked to politicians – regularly encroach upon preserved forest areas for business purposes. Some local residents feel that they have been unfairly treated while the big-time businessmen and politicians – often one and the same entity – are able to control land allocation, even though the natural ownership right to the land is unclear.

The government should implement clear land ownership policy to provide fairness to all. If farmers can take control of their farms with proper land-ownership titles, the problem of forest encroachments should be easier to solve. In addition, once land ownership documents are issued, the authorities can immediately take action against illegal encroachers without having to wait for a court order, which can take months or years to issue.

At the same time, those who are deemed to have illegally encroached upon national parks should be subject to the full penalty of the law. Those who are involved in illegal practices that lead to widespread encroachment must be brought to justice.

The Wang Nam Kheow case also reveals the duplicity in the system. Resort developers and farmers claim that they had obtained permission from the Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAM) to use the preserved area for commercial benefit, even though the TAM does not have the authority to issue land deeds. Indeed, the local authorities have been negligent to the point that a large area of Wang Nam Kheow has been encroached upon.

The authorities must take firm action against wrongdoers to set an example for the rest. Preserved forests belong to all of us, and we must not tolerate the illegal actions of a selfish few. If we let this continue, Thailand will eventually lose all of its remaining forests.