The Parliamentary Land Commission has opened a platform for all parties to clear up issues concerning Pa Lan forest land. Kulwalee emphasized adherence to legal principles and correctness. The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment gave the green light for plot-by-plot rights verification rather than blanket decisions, ensuring original villagers receive their land rights properly and fairly granted them.
At 13:05 on 25 June 2026 at the Parliament, Kulwalee Nopamornbodi, Member of Parliament for Ratchaburi from the Bhumjaithai Party and Chair of the Parliamentary Commission on Land, Natural Resources, and Environment, together with Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Chaiwat Limlikhit-akson, former head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phanudet Kerdmali, Chairman of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, and Thanaporn Sriyangkura, academic and political analyst, held a press conference following the commission meeting. The meeting invited relevant agencies and civil society to provide information for considering adjustments to Pa Lan National Park boundaries, following the Cabinet resolution dated 14 June 2023.
Kulwalee said the key issue was rights verification. Minister Suchart has already established a committee to verify rights on a plot-by-plot basis as of 24 June. As Chair of the commission, she will appoint Chaiwat as an advisor to join this committee to help review questionable cases, such as inflated Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) land claims that should be reclaimed. Those with legitimate claims will retain their rights; those with false claims will face prosecution. The dialogue aims to resolve outstanding issues since information was previously scattered. The commission serves as a central forum to seek joint solutions, such as reviewing whether the National Land Policy Committee (NLPC) could reconsider or adjust the Cabinet’s 14 June 2023 resolution to transfer management from ALRO to NLPC for increased transparency. She confirmed that the 'Pa Lan model' will not be applied to other areas.
Minister Suchart said he fully disclosed all information to the commission to collectively address the long-standing issues. He acknowledged concerns raised by the Seub Foundation and Chaiwat and clarified all points: the verification process will respect citizens' legal rights. For investors outside ALRO or with inflated ALRO claims, Section 64 of the National Park Act B.E. 2562 (2019) and policies from the National Land Policy Committee will be enforced. He emphasized that investors will be closely monitored, with oversight from the Seub Foundation and Chaiwat. He denied any favoritism toward investors, stressing the aim is to protect citizens’ legitimate rights. The Prime Minister instructed him to ensure fairness to both conservationists—who must have a platform to express concerns—and the government, which must act effectively. The commission is politically neutral. On 28 June, he will visit Pa Lan to inspect the situation and expressed confidence that the appointed verification committee will complete its work decisively.
Phanudet added that beyond rights verification, the commission and relevant parties should prioritize the forest and wildlife, including habitats of rare animals in the area, to maintain its status as a World Heritage forest. He stressed that solutions must genuinely address the needs of affected communities rather than benefiting investors or outsiders.
Chaiwat said the commission meeting lifted the 'model' label from Minister Suchart to address concerns that the Pa Lan model might be applied to other national parks—a major worry for him. Minister Suchart confirmed it would not, which reassured him. He affirmed that original residents, who have lived there from the first generation to the present without relocating or selling land, certainly have land rights. Regarding Zone 1, where ALRO land titles were properly issued, people should not be alarmed; that area legitimately belongs to ALRO and should not be misconstrued as being overrun by schools or gas stations.
“We acknowledge that the Department of National Parks indeed drew boundaries overlapping ALRO land and declared in 1978 three groups totaling over 50,000 rai. However, Group 2 must undergo rights verification. I also want to address 23 villagers previously arrested before Section 64 was enacted, who may have changed occupations or been in the wrong profession at the time. I ask the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment to assist these people to encourage them. This does not mean that opposition voices require all people to be removed; assistance is still needed. Perhaps a new Cabinet resolution could be made to support these 23 individuals,” Chaiwat said.