The Cabinet has approved a framework of measures to resolve issues related to farming land in permanent forest areas, emphasizing that people can live properly with the forest while restoring it, reducing conflicts between the state and the public, and preventing new encroachments.
On 2 June 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Lalida Pertwivatthana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that the Cabinet approved target areas and a framework of measures to resolve problems concerning residence and farming in permanent forest areas, as proposed by the National Land Policy Committee Office. This aims to allow people already living and farming in these permanent forest areas to enter a proper legal management system.
The Deputy Spokesperson said this initiative fills gaps left by previous measures, since prior approaches to solving land issues in forest areas did not clearly cover "permanent forest areas." Therefore, the government has set a specific framework to provide relevant agencies with systematic guidelines, reducing confusion and disputes, and ensuring fairness to the public. This does not grant land ownership but certifies residence and farming in consolidated plots under conditions of forest conservation and restoration.
The key points of the framework are categorized by land type and period of use. For watershed areas of classes 3–5 where use began before 2002, legalization will proceed through the government's community farming land allocation project. For areas used after that until 2014, residence and farming will be allowed in consolidated plots, with the condition that economic trees cover at least 50% of the area or at least 50 trees per rai.
For watershed classes 1–2, which are ecologically sensitive areas, actions must be careful, strict, and consider environmental impacts. Measures include soil and water conservation, reducing erosion, and planting the "three kinds of trees" as per the royal initiative. Any future use of these class 1–2 watershed areas must seek Cabinet approval on a case-by-case basis.
Ms. Lalida said the government places importance on solving citizens' farming land problems while simultaneously preserving the nation's forest resources. This framework will provide greater livelihood security for existing residents, reduce conflicts between the state and the public, and encourage community participation in caring for, restoring, and preventing further forest encroachment.
“The key is to bring existing residents into the system legally, while preserving the remaining forests and preventing any expansion or new encroachments. The government aims for land issue solutions that are fair to the people and responsible toward the country’s resources simultaneously.”