The government is accelerating the resolution of the Thap Lan land issue, with 90% progress made, adhering to the principle "People can live, forest can live." It is moving forward to verify the rights of over 30,000 villagers, expedite assistance for 23 individuals facing legal action, and take legal action against investors encroaching on forests and dismantle illegal resorts.
On 2 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Lalida Pertwiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritizes solving the land problem in Thap Lan National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachinburi provinces. Following the principle "People can live, forest can live," the aim is to address the hardships of residents who settled and farmed before the national park was declared, while simultaneously preserving the forest and strictly enforcing laws against investors encroaching on forest land. Recent operations have progressed approximately 80–90%.
Ms. Lalida stated that Mr. Suchat Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has been expediting systematic solutions to the Thap Lan land problem, including boundary adjustments, verification of land ownership rights, and law enforcement. He has instructed relevant agencies to consider the facts case by case to ensure fair treatment for legally entitled citizens, while preventing investors from exploiting assistance measures to illegitimately occupy forest land.
Regarding operations, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation has divided the area into five groups to thoroughly verify facts and examine land possession data. They are using previous data submitted by citizens, covering 20,294 people, 27,951 plots, and over 204,010 rai, to support rights verification and find solutions for more than 30,000 people within legal frameworks and national park committee resolutions.
Additionally, the government is seeking ways to assist 23 individuals affected by legal proceedings under national park laws. Relevant agencies have been tasked with verifying facts and considering assistance options through legal processes to ensure fairness for those impacted by long-standing boundary disputes.
At the same time, the government confirms it will take decisive action against investors and operators illegally encroaching on forest land. The Department of National Parks has already dismantled 10 resorts and vacation homes involved in finalized cases and is in the process of issuing enforcement orders for 22 more. It is also coordinating the use of anti-money laundering laws to investigate and take legal action regarding assets linked to these offenses, as well as working with the Forestry Department to correctly and clearly adjust related boundary areas.
"The government affirms that resolving the Thap Lan land issue requires a clear distinction between residents who settled and farmed before and investors who illegally encroach on forests for profit. Those legally entitled must receive justice, while offenders must face serious legal consequences. The government's goal is to clarify and resolve this long-accumulated problem so that citizens can live securely alongside sustainable forest resource preservation under the principle 'People can live, forest can live,'" she said. /