The Land Commission will meet on 25 June to discuss the Thap Lan issue, planning to invite 'Chaiwat - Sai Scott' for information and affirming opposition to transferring pristine forest out of the park.
On 23 June 2026, Ms. Kulwalee Nopamornbodi, Member of Parliament for Ratchaburi from the Bhumjaithai Party and chair of the Land, Natural Resources, and Environment Commission of the House of Representatives, outlined the commission's approach regarding the boundary adjustment and revocation of Thap Lan National Park forest areas, currently a subject of public debate. She urged society to open their minds and hear all facts comprehensively, noting that the Thap Lan land problem has long existed due to the park's declaration overlapping original community farming lands, with various governments attempting solutions over time.
Ms. Kulwalee confirmed that the areas allocated to the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) are not pristine forests but original settlement areas characterized by communities with houses, temples, and schools, consistent with past Cabinet resolutions rather than new boundary lines being drawn.
To clarify and seek solutions, Ms. Kulwalee stated that on 25 June the Land Commission will invite all stakeholders to provide information, including the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the National Park Committee, the Ombudsman, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), former National Parks official Mr. Chaiwat Limlikhit-akson, and environmentalist Mr. Siranat Scott. Additionally, representatives opposing the boundary changes, who plan to submit a letter to Parliament, will be met personally by her to bring their proposals to the commission meeting.
Regarding land management in the Thai Samakki model village and security project areas, Ms. Kulwalee proposed that both be placed under the National Land Policy Committee's oversight, allocated as "collective plots" with the important condition that villagers have usage rights but no rights to buy or sell land, only to pass rights to descendants. A subcommittee will be appointed to closely monitor this issue.
"The commission will do its best to ensure communities can cultivate the land they legally hold, while simultaneously conserving forest areas. I firmly oppose removing pristine forest from the national park," Ms. Kulwalee said.
When asked about concerns over impacts on World Heritage status, Ms. Kulwalee explained the boundary adjustment will not affect this status because before the World Heritage designation, the Department of National Parks had already set aside certain forest areas and planned compensatory forest additions, with UNESCO being informed of these matters in advance.
Regarding verification of rights in ALRO areas, the commission chair explained that the commission does not have direct authority, as this responsibility belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. However, she will recommend that the Department of National Parks establish a working group to verify rightful landholders and users in the park area in accordance with the law.