Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Authorities from Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province are pursuing legal action after uncovering an illegal hotel business operating on protected land under suspicious ownership claims. The case centres on suspected land right violations under Section 64 of the National Parks Act.

 

According to Mr. Mongkol Chaiphakdee, Chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, a joint investigation was conducted on 30 June and 1 July by park officials and the district administration at a property located at House No. 195, Moo 3, Song Phi Nong subdistrict, Kaeng Krachan district.

 

The investigation followed reports that land within the national park, originally registered for use in 1998 by a woman named Ms. Somporn, covering approximately 5 rai, had since been transferred and was now being used as a private camping and hotel business known as “Hornbill Camping – Kaeng Krachan.”

 

The site is currently occupied by Mr. Johnrangsarn 58, who claimed to have been given verbal permission by Ms. Somporn a decade ago to use the land. He said she had grown elderly and moved to live with her children in another province in 2018.

 

However, officials found no evidence of land tax payments for the site and noted that Ms. Somporn had previously lived there since 1993. Aerial photographs revealed that between 2020 and 2021, heavy machinery had been used to level the land, excavate parts of the hillside and construct multiple structures, indicating large-scale commercial intent.

 

Authorities discovered a total of 18 buildings scattered across the land, including accommodation facilities and tent sites. The business had also been actively promoted on Facebook without any evidence of proper licensing.

 

Following the inspection, officials concluded that Mr. Johnrangsarn’s occupation of the land violated Section 64 of the National Parks Act B.E. 2562 (2019), which prohibits unauthorised commercial activities on park land.

 

Two formal charges are now being prepared:

 

1. Violation of the National Parks Act B.E. 2562 – conducting business for profit within a national park without permission. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both.

 

2. Violation of the Hotel Act B.E. 2547 (2004) – operating a hotel without a licence from the registrar. This offence is punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.

 

Mr. Mongkol stated that the case illustrates the challenges posed by illegal land occupation and unauthorised commercial activities in protected areas, which severely impact conservation efforts.

 

He confirmed that further investigations would continue, particularly regarding land modification and the construction of large-scale buildings, to ensure that the law is enforced to its fullest extent.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-03

 

 

 

 

This building has been there for years and only "discovered" now. What exactly do the National Park directors do....apart from illegally selling trees?

Most countries councils and admin offices, nowadays have drone aerial photographic surveillance.....overlaying current and past images and noting changes.

It's almost as though parks wait 'till illegal buildings are built, then go for the Thb 200K fines!