Officials have joined forces to inspect 33 rai of forest land encroached within the central forest area of the cooperative settlement in Thong Pha Phum district, expediting an investigation suspected to involve local politicians.
On 23 Jan 2025 GMT+7, Mr. Akkaradet Wongkarnsinn, Director of Forest Resources Management Office 10 (Ratchaburi), together with Mr. Chanchai Kitsakdaphap, Head of the Special Task Force (Payak Phrai) of the Royal Forest Department; Mr. Satit Suwanwanit, Senior Administrative Officer and Senior District Officer of Thong Pha Phum; Mr. Ukrit Khaosard, Senior Civil Engineer of Thong Pha Phum Cooperative Settlement; Mr. Somrit Kaenkhiam, Director of Forest Protection and Fire Control Division; Mr. Noppan Ketphut of the Special Forest Operations Unit, Forest Resources Management Office 10 (Ratchaburi); Lieutenant Vattana Saekhuay, Commander of the Patrol Unit, Lat Ya Task Force; and other relevant agencies jointly inspected the area after receiving reports of encroachment and illegal commercial excavation of laterite soil behind Wat Choeng Khao, Village No. 6, Ban Nong Charoen, Lin Thin subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum district, Kanchanaburi Province, to determine whether these activities comply with the law.
The inspection team spread out to examine coordinates, discovering multiple old and new buildings, construction materials, piles of stone and sand, and extensive signs of illegal soil excavation from the site. Some locations on the high hills showed residential construction. The measured area of encroachment and possession was approximately 33 rai.
Initial checks found all buildings locked with no occupants or workers present; however, signs of habitation were evident, including a rice cooker still plugged in within a kitchen. Officials will measure the encroached area and collect evidence to prosecute the owners of these buildings.
Interviews with local residents revealed that the area has long been subject to illegal commercial extraction of natural resources, suspected to be part of a large-scale operation.
Mr. Akkaradet Wongkarnsinn, Director of Forest Resources Management Office 10 (Ratchaburi), stated that following complaints, the joint inspection confirmed that the target area lies within the Royal Decree establishing the Thong Pha Phum local cooperative settlement, Kanchanaburi Province, 1975, and is part of the central forest reserve covering 20 percent of the cooperative settlement. The inspection found the land encroached, occupied, exploited, and degraded over an area of 33-2-58 rai, with 17 structures seized within the site.
Investigations indicate that the landholder is a local politician in the area. The officials agreed that the actions constitute multiple legal violations, including offenses under the Forest Act of 1941 and its amendments, land occupation laws, earth excavation and filling regulations, building control laws, and groundwater laws.
Regarding violations under the Forest Act of 1941 and its amendments, forest officials will file complaints with the Thong Pha Phum Police Station under Sections 54, 55, and 72 ter to initiate prosecution against offenders and involved parties.
For violations of other laws, the responsible officials under those statutes will be assigned to take appropriate action within their authority and proceed according to related laws.