Bangkok: The National Parks Board has confirmed that the adjustment of the Thap Lan National Park boundary will not impact its World Heritage status, while delaying the revocation of land ownership in Group 4 areas and expediting land ownership verification within six months.
According to Thai News Agency, the National Parks Board has decided to delay the revocation of land ownership in Group 4 of Thap Lan National Park, which spans over 109,420 rai. The board aims to verify the land rights of indigenous people residing within these areas within a six-month period. This boundary review is specifically designed to ensure that the Dong Phaya Yen-Khao Yai World Heritage site's status is unaffected, countering prevalent concerns over a complete revocation of the park's land.
Mr. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, alongside representatives from various agencies such as Mr. Nattawut Pluengthuk, Deputy Director of the National Land Policy Council (NLPC); Ms. Pornprapa Mengveha, Director of Investigation Division 1, Office of the Ombudsman; Mr. Preecha Limthawil, Deputy Secretary-General of the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO); and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaporn Sriyakul, Director of the Institute for Political and Policy Analysis, announced the outcomes of the National Parks Committee meeting. This meeting focused on addressing the ongoing overlapping land issue in Thap Lan National Park, an issue that has persisted for over five decades.
Mr. Atthapol explained that the National Park Committee meeting decided to propose a review of the Cabinet resolution dated March 14, 2023. This review aims to organize and classify the area based on factual, legal, and empirical data. He clarified that the boundary adjustment is not a full revocation of Thap Lan National Park, as misunderstood on social media, and it will not impact the World Heritage status of the Dong Phaya Yen-Khao Yai Forest Complex. The government has established a buffer zone to mitigate any impact on the surrounding ecosystem, and the Department of National Parks has been continuously updating the World Heritage Committee on the progress.
The land regulation measures have categorized the relevant areas into five groups, with a recommendation to revoke approximately 155,865 rai of land for management by relevant agencies. These groups include: Group 1 - areas overlapping with agricultural land reform zones (approximately 53,416 rai); Group 2 - areas related to the Thai Samakkee Model Village Project (approximately 8,328 rai); Group 3 - areas related to security projects (PMO and COJ) (approximately 87,500 rai); and Group 5 - state land used as military training grounds (approximately 6,621 rai).
The meeting resolved to postpone the revocation of land designation for Group 4, which consists of approximately 109,420 rai of land owned by residents outside the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) zone and outside the national security project. The area will remain under Thap Lan National Park, with procedures under Section 64 of the National Parks Act B.E. 2562 (2019) to verify and confirm the land ownership rights of residents who lived there before the park's declaration. Approximately 5,200 individuals have already been surveyed, with the process targeted for completion within six months.
Additionally, the Department of National Parks, in collaboration with the Royal Forest Department, has been tasked with surveying pristine forest areas for potential incorporation of approximately 86,966.29 rai into Thap Lan National Park, to preserve the country's protected forest area.
Mr. Nattawut emphasized that the operation aligns with the One Map development guidelines and related Cabinet resolutions. The NLPC will work alongside various agencies to ensure accurate and fair verification of rights.
Ms. Pornprapa noted that the Office of the Ombudsman has consistently received complaints from residents and has worked with relevant agencies to find suitable solutions and expedite the resolution of the area's challenges.
Mr. Preecha confirmed that the ALRO is prepared to manage areas as per the National Park Committee's resolution, strictly within the legal framework, and will allocate land solely to eligible farmers, preventing land acquisition by capital groups.
Mr. Atthapol further stated that Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has instructed all agencies to adhere to the legal framework, ensuring fairness and considering both forest conservation and people's rights. He emphasized the importance of considering all opinions. This boundary adjustment will occur alongside the addition of pristine forest areas to the national park, ensuring the protected forest area does not decrease.
It was reiterated that areas under legal proceedings for forest encroachment will continue through the legal process, with no amnesty or granting of rights to offenders. Officials will be dispatched to define land boundaries, and the verification process for Group 4 will be expedited to meet the timeline, balancing natural resource conservation and people's rights.