Bangkok: Opposition whip Chayanant Ketmek is urging Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, to release comprehensive information regarding 552 cases of land encroachment within Thap Lan National Park. Ketmek questions whether the minister's actions are genuinely aimed at assisting impoverished villagers or if they inadvertently benefit wealthy capitalists.
According to Thai News Agency, Chayanant Ketmek, representing Nong Bua Lamphu Province's Constituency 1 for the Kla Tham Party, expressed skepticism regarding the recent adjustments to the Thap Lan National Park boundaries. He highlighted that Suchart Chomklin had assured that the boundary change was intended to deliver justice to impoverished citizens without favoring capitalists. However, Ketmek emphasized that what society requires is not just verbal assurances from the minister but complete transparency in the form of a map, a list of landowners, and the legal status of each plot of land involved.
Ketmek pointed out the scale of the issue, with 552 cases of encroachment covering over 12,000 rai, involving more than 2,300 structures. These cases range from resorts and vacation homes to commercial properties and include matters already settled in court, those under current legal consideration, and others pending investigation by authorities.
The opposition whip questioned the impact of government actions on these encroachment cases, particularly concerning how many involve impoverished villagers versus wealthy investors and commercial entities. He stressed the importance of transparency in the process, especially if the government plans to alter the park's boundaries or hand over land to the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO).
Ketmek further expressed concern over the lack of a public list detailing individual plots of land, overlapping maps of case areas and new boundaries, and legal opinions from the Office of the Attorney General or the Office of the Council of State. He argued that without these disclosures, the public cannot be expected to trust the minister's words, especially given the significant financial interests involved.
Ketmek urged Minister Suchart to release detailed information on all 552 cases, including land coordinates, legal statuses, and maps reflecting proposed boundary changes. This information, he argued, would help determine whether the beneficiaries are genuinely impoverished farmers or large corporations and commercial operators.
Moreover, Ketmek emphasized the need for clear criteria in verifying over 5,200 land titles within a six-month period, to prevent potential misuse by investment groups using villagers' names as fronts. He warned that a hasty verification process without rigorous checks could exacerbate the problem rather than resolve it.
While supporting the idea of restoring justice to those who lived on the land before its designation as a national park, Ketmek cautioned against allowing this process to become a loophole for capitalists. He called on the minister to prove that no improper benefits are being granted by releasing all relevant maps, case records, and legal opinions.
In conclusion, Ketmek warned that if the government proceeds with boundary adjustments without clear legal assurances, especially if resort or luxury home cases evade responsibility, Minister Suchart and the government could face political repercussions. He stressed the importance of balancing justice for villagers with the protection of national forests, ensuring that the resolution of issues for the poor does not mask the interests of the wealthy.