Ministries seek to solve park dispute

The Agriculture and Natural Resources and Environment ministries met yesterday to discuss the conflict over Sor Por Kor rights for land located inside Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Both agreed to let the Royal Thai Survey Department use data from satellite imagery to decide who legally owned the disputed lands.

Agriculture Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow insisted that this is not a political conflict, saying that he has already had discussions with Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, regarding the issue.

Pol Gen Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, said the dispute needs a legal resolution.

Yesterday’s meeting came after the discovery that almost 3,000 rai of land in tambon Moosi, in Pak Chong district, inside the Unesco World Heritage site, was wrongfully earmarked as agricultural land by the Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro).

Farmers with Sor Por Kor 4-01 certificates have already been granted 42 plots of land.

“Such plots of land should not be designated due to National Park encroachment concerns,” Capt Thamanat said.

As chairman of the Land Reformation committee, Capt Thamanat said he would set out guidelines on land allocation, with boundary areas of national parks excluded.

“A clear specification will solve the problem,” he said.

Jatuporn Burutpat, permanent secretary of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, said that the National Park Office has the authority to overturn Alro’s designations if they are found to be in the national park.

Mr Jatuporn insisted that the office director, Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, has every right to do this. Yet, it has to be based on a thorough investigation.

The national park’s borders were designated under a decree issued in 1962, Mr Jatuporn said, confirming that no political agenda was behind Mr Chaiwat’s actions.

Meanwhile, six Alro provincial officials were transferred to Alro headquarters pending an investigation.

“The offence has not yet been determined. But if their conduct is ruled illegal, they will face criminal charges,” Capt Thamanat said.