Villagers clamour to save land

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Representatives of villagers affected by a state policy to turn 2,658 rai in Phimai Municipality into a historical site have asked the provincial governor to negotiate with the Fine Arts Department in a bid to save their land.

The representatives are Choosak Choonkoh, the Phimai district chief; Danai Tangjerdjah, the mayor of Phimai Municipality; Nattawat Sritrakoon, the president of the businessmen of Phimai district; and Somchai Sritrakoon.

They have submitted a petition detailing the expected impact of the policy on local businesses and property prices, and have asked governor Vichien Chantaranotha for his support in talks with the department, they said.

He reportedly accepted and has vowed to clear the air.

“The conflict is the result of a lack of communication,” Mr Vichien said.

“The Fine Arts Department never came forward to explain what would happen to the villagers or their rights regarding their property, or what they could and could not do when the area was announced a historic site.”

Many residents have lived in the area for years and all claim to have land-ownership documents.

“They have been wondering what the consequences of this policy will be in terms of how it affects their private property,” Mr Vichien said.

“Despite the department i nsisting people are permitted to stay, I believe it has a lot of explaining to do to these villagers,” he added.

He pledged to send an official letter to the department inviting it to give a public explanation.

Affected villagers claim their businesses, especially those involved in property development, have taken a hit since the land was zoned a few months ago.

The villagers claim commercial banks have lowered the estimated price of land where the historic sites lie and refused to grant loans based on the land being used as collateral.

Residents said the move could cause them to lose ownership of their land.

They said any modifications of buildings would have to go through a lengthy consideration process. Residents have reportedly also threatened to petition the Administrative Court.

Department director-general Anant Chuchote said at a press conference early this month that more than 1,665 families living in the Phimai historical site would be allowed to stay and the department would impose few restrictions.