Suchart received a letter from villagers supporting land distribution before breaking through an encirclement by the anti-Save Thap Lan group. He vowed to visit the area on 28 June to listen to their problems, evict investors from the area, and assist only villagers residing before the national park declaration.
At 11:20 a.m. on 24 June 2026 at parliament, Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, received a letter from Thap Lan villagers supporting the division of the national park land to grant cultivation rights. Villagers confirmed their rights to areas shown on social media as original village land existing before the government declared it part of Thap Lan National Park. Since the 1981 declaration, the people have suffered. Suchart said the land must be verified to clear doubts: if it belongs to villagers, it will remain for cultivation; if it is a hotel or resort, it will be demolished. A war room will be set up there. He emphasized he does not want land or benefits to fall to any investor but focuses on how villagers will live.
Ensuring fairness for the villagers.
Suchart added that on 28 June, he will visit the area to hear all villagers' issues, bringing relevant agencies, including conservationists, human rights activists, and foundations. He wants villagers to understand that the government's actions aim to resolve long-standing confusion. If they do not act now, decades later it will still face opposition. Villagers lack social media power to oppose and feel unable to express their hardships.
“This morning, the Prime Minister called to say justice must be given to villagers. Investors do not allow it, so they must all be arrested. This is the two-pronged approach: one side helps genuine villagers, the other arrests and removes investors. These are the only two options. We must clarify this to conservation groups.” Suchart said.
A village representative said they want the issue resolved so villagers can live peacefully without fearing arrest for cutting a tree or gathering vegetables. They invited those supporting Save Thap Lan, who have not seen villagers’ reality, to visit the village.
Emphasizing it is not forest but concrete.
After receiving the letter, Suchart said Thap Lan villagers accept the national park committee’s resolution to follow boundary adjustments based on past realities. He rejected claims of forest land being cut off, saying it is no longer forest but fully developed. He stressed the reality that while forests existed before people, once people settled before the law declared the park, their residence must be considered. There are two sides: one right, one wrong; both cannot be right. Some say forest predates humans, which is natural law, but humans who settled before park declaration must have their rights respected. Parks declared later must treat them fairly. If everyone follows the law, there will be no problem.
The Department of National Parks and Forestry must conserve, but destroying villagers’ way of life accumulated over 50–60 years is wrong. Without clear concrete solutions, future attempts will face resistance. Why does the government led by Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister, do the right thing but outsiders fail to understand the villagers?
28 June: actual site visit.
“On 28 June, I will take everyone to see the area. Regarding the survey where more people disagreed than agreed, the Ombudsman will clarify as they conducted the survey. I am unsure of the question's direction, but it seemed aimed at whether villagers agree to transferring national park land. The question was not factual. Upon checking, some respondents had duplicate IPs. We are only transferring national park land to Sor Por Kor land, which remains public land, to allow the poor to cultivate and live; we do not intend for resorts or hotels. If Sor Por Kor land is used wrongly, we will press charges. I can arrest Sor Por Kor officials if they misuse it.”
“Respectfully, as a minister I stake my life and dignity on this position. If I favored investors, where would I stand? I would not be able to continue. The director general will retire in 4–5 months; together we will finish this. After retirement, neither he nor I will benefit from that land. I want the people to live with fairness and justice, loving Thailand, not feeling the law is unfair. How can we live like that?” Suchart said.
Vowing that investors will not escape.
Suchart added that investors will definitely not get away. If you are already wealthy, invest in land with official titles, not public land. It is unfair to society. This matter must conclude during his tenure. He does not care about any investor group; everything must end. If it doesn’t, his life is at stake too. They must resolve it with dignity. As a man, after saying this, how can he betray himself and live in society? Who would associate with him? Investor groups should not come near him; he will not tolerate them. He told all officials if they are afraid, move elsewhere. If we do not act for the nation now, when will we? The Prime Minister and he are fully committed; what is there to fear as government officials? He has no fear but wants to understand dissenting groups without inciting unrest.”
Escaping from anti-land division Thap Lan group.
After Suchart’s interview, a group opposing the division of Thap Lan National Park—SAVE Thap Lan—wore white shirts to parliament to present a letter to Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, party-list MP and leader of the Thai Pakdee Party. By coincidence, they encountered Suchart, who was receiving a letter from supporters, leading to a confrontation. The opposing group shouted loudly: “Save Thap Lan! Save Thap Lan! Save Thap Lan!” Their shouts echoed through parliament, but Suchart did not stop talking to them. He tried to walk through the crowd back inside parliament without explanation. The opposing group believes the forest predates humans and fears issuing Sor Por Kor titles is a step toward land titles favoring investors encroaching on forest areas.