PM orders seizure of Sor Por Kor land

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered a redistribution of land under Sor Por Kor agricultural title deeds, saying many land plots had fallen into the hands of investors.

Speaking after t he cabinet meeting yesterday, deputy government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Gen Prayut had ordered officials to resolve the land allocation issue for the public.

The premier believes many land plots issued under the Sor Por Kor scheme are now occupied by investors, the deputy spokesman said.

The Sor Por Kor programme was introduced to give poor farmers property rights via agricultural title deeds. The title-holders were given the right to a maximum of 50 rai for farming purposes and could build a single dwelling on the property.

Maj Gen Sansern said the retaken plots would have to be rearranged before a new allocation is made.

The principle is that land must not change hands or be misused, and if the reclaimed sites are found to be degraded land, they must be reforested, he said.

Leasing could be employed as a new method for allocation, but arrangements must be made so the land cannot change hands, Maj Gen Sansern said. Authorities will not allow villagers to gain access to watershed areas, and all villagers found encroaching will be evicted with new plots allocated to them, he said.

Gen Prayut also warned forestry officials not to tell people they can use forest land to cultivate rubber trees. Cash crops can no longer be grown in forest reserves, he said, citing the premier.