Songkhla: Forestry officials have filed a complaint against six board members of the "Thai Hua Rubber" company, finding they used 103 rai of protected forest land without permission. The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment has ordered the Department of Forestry to investigate Tai Hua Rubber Public Company Limited in Songkhla province. The company was found to be using 103 rai and 52 square wah of national forest reserve land without proper permits. A complaint has been filed against six authorized directors, and preparations are underway to invoke Section 25 to order the company to cease operations and vacate the area.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, stated that he has instructed the Department of Forestry to expedite the investigation and enforcement of the law regarding complaints about the operations of Tai Hua Rubber Public Company Limited in Moo 1, Chalong Subdistrict, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The complaints stem from residents being affected by the odor and wastewater from rubber processing. He emphasized that if any wrongdoing is found, legal action must be taken.
Mr. Nikorn Sirirojananont, Director-General of the Department of Forestry, therefore assigned the Forest Resource Management Office 13 (Songkhla), in collaboration with the "Phayak Phrai" special task force, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division of the Royal Thai Police, security forces, and local agencies, to investigate and gather evidence.
The inspection revealed that a total area of 103 rai and 52 square wah was being utilized, with 27 structures. Upon checking relevant documents, officials stated that no permits were found authorizing the company to utilize the area within the national forest reserve. Officials therefore filed charges against six authorized directors of the company: Mr. Yang Fuwen, Chairman; Mr. Lakchai Kittipol, Honorary Director; Mr. Wan Dashan; Mr. Zhou Pingxing; Ms. Yuan Yuan; and Mr. Wang Liang, company directors.
All six individuals were charged with illegally occupying and utilizing land within a national forest reserve without permission from authorized officials, in violation of the National Forest Reserve Act of 1964. The case was reported to the investigating officers at Thung Tam Sao Police Station, Songkhla Province, for legal proceedings.
Mr. Suchart stated that regardless of the group or nationality of the investors, if they are found to be violating the law, legal action must be taken. All parties must be subject to the same laws. He also affirmed his commitment to regulating the use of state land and protecting the country's forests and resources.
For the next step, the Department of Forestry will proceed according to Section 25 of the National Forest Reserve Act B.E. 2507 (1964) to order the occupants and their associates to cease operations and vacate the national forest reserve area, and will proceed with relevant legal action.