Suchart addresses the controversy over the adjustment of Thap Lan National Park boundaries following influencer and celebrity-led Save Thap Lan campaigns. He insists the action is not to benefit business interests but to help the poor, and announces the formation of a committee to rigorously verify land rights parcel by parcel to prevent impersonation.
On 23 June 2026, Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, spoke regarding influencers and celebrities raising the Save Thap Lan National Park campaign after the Ministry considered adjusting over 100,000 rai of Thap Lan National Park boundaries to return land to villagers. He emphasized the need for understanding, noting this is a continuing issue predating his tenure. He described the matter as having two sides, with facts that scholars and experts have partially explained. He admitted his own explanations may not have been loud enough, so experts have spoken on his behalf. He urged that the villagers' hardships—tens of thousands of families who have lived peacefully for decades—should not be politicized or treated lightly. He asked people to imagine families suddenly waking to find their homes declared part of a national park despite living there before. He noted the Prime Minister has directed him to resolve the issue fairly for both sides.
Regarding images circulating on social media of elephant herds and forests, Suchart clarified these are not from Thap Lan National Park but other areas and requested that misunderstandings be avoided. The area causing concern is the Thai Samakkhi village cluster. He said this issue was discussed with the Permanent Secretary, department directors, and all concerned parties. The fear is that the land will be transferred to the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) and then to business groups. He emphasized that ALRO regulations require transferring ownership only to farmers. Within 3-4 days, a committee will be established to examine and verify villagers’ genuine land rights on a parcel-by-parcel basis to clarify the situation publicly and prevent division. On 24 June, villagers will submit a letter of thanks to the Prime Minister at the Parliament building.
He said, "We do not want any group to protest that might cause concern among those affected. There is worry that decisions made at the meetings might not be honored. Multiple committees, not just me, participated in the meetings; I do not have sole control over eight or nine votes. Several academics unanimously agreed on the resolutions. I want the media to understand that these families are truly poor and shocked to find their lands declared national park areas overnight. They lived on ALRO land since 1978, but in 1981 it was declared Thap Lan National Park, effectively placing them inside the park."
Suchart thanked a scholar who explained that in the past, boundary lines were not drawn earlier due to fears of forest encroachment and timber concessions. Therefore, families who lived there earlier are now verifying their rights. This is the principle of management. He stressed he is not disheartened because this work benefits truly poor people. The government instructed him to ensure fairness for all parties and to verify areas based on factual principles. If this is not done today—after 50 years of inaction—it would have to wait another 50 years.