"Big Kob" led the Forestry Department team to file a case with the Central Investigation Police against the "Khao Pak Triam" forest grabbing syndicate, seizing nearly 500 illegal logs. The syndicate issued 105 fraudulent Nor Sor 3 Kor land title documents, seizing over 3,000 rai of forest land. The case involves state officials and influential figures. Authorities are urgently revoking land titles and pursuing combined criminal and civil charges, with damages exceeding 200 million baht.
At 3:00 p.m. on 10 Apr 2026 at the 28th floor of the Pitak Santi Building, Central Investigation Police Headquarters (CIP), Pol. Maj. Gen. Nantachart Supamongkol, advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, along with Mr. Chanchai Kitsakdapap, head of the Forest Tiger Task Force, met with Pol. Maj. Gen. Suwat Saengnum and Pol. Maj. Gen. Jarunkiet Pankaew, deputy commanders of CIP, to deliver evidence and file a complaint regarding the seizure of over 450 to 500 logs, totaling about 490 cubic meters, from Khao Pak Triam - Ao Jak forest area in Ranong Province. They also expanded the investigation into the issuance of 105 fraudulent Nor Sor 3 Kor land title documents covering more than 3,000 rai.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Nantachart revealed that this operation follows urgent policy directives from Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, who instructed the Forestry Department to file complaints against individuals violating Section 69 of the Forest Act B.E. 2484 (1941) for possession of protected timber that has not been processed. The evidence is being used in investigations to allow those claiming land rights to present their Nor Sor 3 Kor documents for verification. If any titles are found to have been issued improperly or illegally, the department will prosecute thoroughly, whether involving citizens or government officials. Following this, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will also file complaints to coordinate investigations reaching the masterminds.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Suwat outlined that the case will be divided into two main offenses: 1. Offenses related to the issuance of land title documents, which may involve officials’ misconduct, including violations of the Forest Act and Land Act; and 2. Offenses involving related civilians. The Central Investigation Police Headquarters will establish a joint task force between the Anti-Corruption Division and the Forest Crime Suppression Division to pool specialized personnel and resources to handle this complex case more swiftly and thoroughly than local-level actions.
Meanwhile, Pol. Maj. Gen. Jarunkiet stated that field inspections confirmed the area is a pristine tropical forest with large trees such as over-100-year-old Takian trees, yet Nor Sor 3 Kor documents were issued improperly from 1989 to 2010. More than 2,000 rai of forest have been encroached upon and destroyed. Preliminary assessment suggests influential groups collaborated with government officials to issue fraudulent land titles. The ministry plans to formally request the Director-General of the Department of Lands to revoke all such land titles and warns officials neglecting their duties that they will face legal consequences without exception.
Mr. Nipon Jamngsirisak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, added that the process to revoke land titles has started with the first 21 plots and will expand to cover all 105 plots. Preliminary damage estimates from the encroachment and logging exceed 200 million baht. The ministry will pursue civil lawsuits to claim damages alongside criminal prosecutions to restore the forest land, a national asset, back to the people as swiftly as possible.