The Director-General of the Department of National Parks has ordered an urgent investigation after discovering a golf course encroaching on Salak Phra Forest in Kanchanaburi Province, affirming strict prosecution and immediate revocation of possession rights.
On 20 June 2026, Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, stated that following online media reports about encroachment in Salak Phra Forest, Kanchanaburi, involving the conversion of forest land into a golf course, he urgently instructed the Office of Protected Areas Region 3 (Ban Pong) to conduct a thorough investigation. He emphasized adherence to the policy of Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Mr. Suchart Chomklin to strictly protect forest areas and ensure that offenders are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Mr. Rachan Buatri, Director of the Office of Protected Areas Region 3 (Ban Pong), summarized inspection results from the head of Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, outlining the timeline of land inspections and related prosecutions as follows.
On 20 February 2020, Mr. Preecha (surname withheld) reported possession of three land plots (Sor.Ror.2) within Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary in Ban Khao Noi, Wang Dong Subdistrict, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, totaling about 13.50 rai, in accordance with the Cabinet resolution dated 26 November 2018. This land is currently under review for possession rights per Department regulations.
On 7 August 2024, officials seized 1.22 rai of encroached land adjacent to the plot Mr. Preecha claimed to possess. No offenders were found at the scene. Subsequently, police from Lat Ya Station apprehended one suspect and confiscated one backhoe. The case file is currently with prosecutors for indictment.
The latest land inspections revealed extensive grass planting resembling a golf course.
On 29 May 2026, authorities seized an additional 1.31 rai of encroached land nearby, finding signs of clearing, landscaping with ornamental plants, and confiscating irrigation pipes connected from adjacent land claimed by Mr. Preecha. The case was forwarded to Lat Ya Police Station for legal action.
On 1 June 2026, in reviewing the ownership change of the 13.50-rai plot, Mr. Preecha stated he no longer owns the land, having sold it to Mr. Chanchai (surname withheld) several years ago and denied any involvement in activities on the land.
On 19 June 2026, the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary coordinated with Wang Dong Subdistrict Administrative Organization to obtain tax payment documents (Por.Bor.Tor.5) to verify the true current possessor of the land.
Officials will gather complete evidence regarding the actual possessor. If clear proof of unauthorized possession or illegal actions is found, Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary will proceed with legal steps to revoke possession rights immediately and continue monitoring the criminal case to ensure offenders are prosecuted and the forest is restored to its original condition.