Luxury Homes Built In Conserved Forest Lands Around Nakhon Ratchasima

[webfact]

KORAT

Luxury homes built in conserved forest lands

By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

PEERADEJ TANRUANGPORN

THE NATION

An inspection trip around Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district yesterday showed many luxury homes, including those belonging to senior policemen, are in conserved forest zones.

The Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), which organised the trip, is preparing to ask the Royal Forest Department to demolish all these properties.

"We will also investigate officials who are involved in the illegal encroachment," PACC secretary-general Amphon Wongsiri said. His agency has spearheaded efforts to crack down on land encroachment and illegal operation of resorts.

During a survey trip to investigate land encroachment in Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima, Amphon asked a land-reform official to use a GPS (Global Positioning System) device to determine the positions of encroaching plots and found that illegal luxury houses, valued at more than Bt30 million, were in conserved area zone C.

A team of PACC inspectors led by Amphon yesterday also visited a land-encroachment site at tambon Nong Yang Suea in Saraburi province's Muak Lek district.

The PACC team found that more than 70 rai (11.2 hectares) of forestland in slope areas had been encroached on by wealthy people who have close connections with senior provincial officials.

This area consisted of degraded forests and was to be distributed to poor farmers for agricultural purposes. But land-reform officials had been trying to issue Sor Por Kor titles allowing wealthy people to own this forestland.

Meanwhile, villagers and local forestry officials lodged complaints against provincial land-reform officials and asked them not to issue the Sor Por Kor documents to wealthy people who encroached on forestlands.

But the complaints were ignored by land-reform officials for two years while the forestland was being encroached on.

"We found that they [saraburi provincial land-reform office] were trying to issue documents allowing wealthy people to utilise the forestland," Amphon said.

He added that the National Anti-Corruption Commission would conduct an investigation and propose disciplinary measures against officials of Saraburi province because of their alleged involvement in land encroachment.

Additionally, the PACC will ask the Anti-Money Laundering Office to investigate the assets and properties of wealthy people who encroached on the forest lands.

Tambon Nong Yang Suea headman Sombat Kaewwisit said the 70-rai plot belonged to a local villager and later this area was transferred to the forest office to maintain as a national asset.

But since 2009, this forestland was heavy encroached on by wealthy people to build private homes. The forestland is now surrounded by fences to mark the land ownership.

"Villagers have kept this area since they were young. No one from the village cut the trees in this forest because they could collect wild products to earn their living," he said.

"Now we are fighting to take our forest back."

The PACC will ask the new national government to take legal action against officials in Phuket and Phang Nga involved in facilitating encroachment by wealthy people in forest areas.

A former Phuket governor is accused of signing a document to allow an individual to own about 67 rai in forest areas valued at Bt4 billion.

Meanwhile, officials in Phang Nga province will also face legal action over alleged land encroachment in Koh Yao Yai.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

[webfact]

Probe into resorts, plantations

By The Nation

Authorities are investigating how 15,000 resorts and rubber plantations appear to be located within forest reserves spanning Prachin Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima.

"We will be looking into details," Tab Lan National Park chief Tewin Meesap said yesterday.

Tewin said checks would be made to see if owners of resorts and plantations have any land-rights documents or any rights to use the land.

To date, owners of 15 resorts in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Kheow district and Prachin Buri's Na Di district have been told to dismantle their properties by October 30.

"Otherwise, we will remove their structures ourselves," Tewin said.

If resort owners wished to appeal, they must do so within 15 days of the order being issued.

Rubber plantations have also eaten into a sizeable portion of forest reserve in the two provinces, Tewin pointed out. "The biggest plantation spans over 1,200 rai," he said.

Provincial Police Region 3 commander Lt-General Dechawat Ramsompop vowed to take both criminal and disciplinary action against any police officers using forestland.

Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Rapi Pongbuppakit said forest encroachment had dragged on for decades.

"A solution of course must be in line with the law, but thinking should be about political and scientific principles too," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

[ratcatcher]

Probe into resorts, plantations

By The Nation

Authorities are investigating how 15,000 resorts and rubber plantations appear to be located within forest reserves spanning Prachin Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima.

"We will be looking into details," Tab Lan National Park chief Tewin Meesap said yesterday.

Tewin said checks would be made to see if owners of resorts and plantations have any land-rights documents or any rights to use the land.

To date, owners of 15 resorts in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Kheow district and Prachin Buri's Na Di district have been told to dismantle their properties by October 30.

"Otherwise, we will remove their structures ourselves," Tewin said.

If resort owners wished to appeal, they must do so within 15 days of the order being issued.

Rubber plantations have also eaten into a sizeable portion of forest reserve in the two provinces, Tewin pointed out. "The biggest plantation spans over 1,200 rai," he said.

Provincial Police Region 3 commander Lt-General Dechawat Ramsompop vowed to take both criminal and disciplinary action against any police officers using forestland.

Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Rapi Pongbuppakit said forest encroachment had dragged on for decades.

"A solution of course must be in line with the law, but thinking should be about political and scientific principles too," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

It is gratifying to read that some long overdue action is being taken against these illegal encroachments.

Whether anything will come of it, only time will tell. T.I.T.

[Siripon]

Probe into resorts, plantations

By The Nation

Authorities are investigating how 15,000 resorts and rubber plantations appear to be located within forest reserves spanning Prachin Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima.

"We will be looking into details," Tab Lan National Park chief Tewin Meesap said yesterday.

Tewin said checks would be made to see if owners of resorts and plantations have any land-rights documents or any rights to use the land.

To date, owners of 15 resorts in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Kheow district and Prachin Buri's Na Di district have been told to dismantle their properties by October 30.

"Otherwise, we will remove their structures ourselves," Tewin said.

If resort owners wished to appeal, they must do so within 15 days of the order being issued.

Rubber plantations have also eaten into a sizeable portion of forest reserve in the two provinces, Tewin pointed out. "The biggest plantation spans over 1,200 rai," he said.

Provincial Police Region 3 commander Lt-General Dechawat Ramsompop vowed to take both criminal and disciplinary action against any police officers using forestland.

Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Rapi Pongbuppakit said forest encroachment had dragged on for decades.

"A solution of course must be in line with the law, but thinking should be about political and scientific principles too," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

It is gratifying to read that some long overdue action is being taken against these illegal encroachments.

Whether anything will come of it, only time will tell. T.I.T.

Mt Tewin is a brave man, I hope he succeeds.

[EvilDrSomkid]

30 million baht homes will be demolished? In Thailand? Yeah, right.

One of those instances where corruption is not accepted by the people is it, hmmm?

Will be interesting to see if PT, party for the people, will actually do something about this?

Not likely.

[bushwacker]

Who did you say your daddy was?

[EyesWideOpen]

Wait, let me step away from my keyboard to puke....... Ok, I am back.

1. How do policeman on modest salaries afford multi million baht homes ? Just kidding, I already know the answer to that one.

2. TIT. Not one brick of those homes and resorts will be touched, and this story like the thousands of other will quietly fade away after money is exchanged to the proper hands.......

[scorecard]

30 million baht homes will be demolished? In Thailand? Yeah, right.

One of those instances where corruption is not accepted by the people is it, hmmm?

Will be interesting to see if PT, party for the people, will actually do something about this?

Not likely.

Yeah, and the disgusting sanoh, thaksin, alpine golf club and village event should also be on a list for similar attention.

Who wants to take a bet nothing will happen under this government?

Quote: "Mt Tewin is a brave man, I hope he succeeds."

What's the bet that Mr. Tewin will from today suddenly go very quiet (because of severe intimidation or similar) and even possibly be moved to an inactive post and told to shut up.

Edited July 28, 2011 by Scott

[EvilDrSomkid]

Wait, let me step away from my keyboard to puke....... Ok, I am back.

1. How do policeman on modest salaries afford multi million baht homes ? Just kidding, I already know the answer to that one.

2. TIT. Not one brick of those homes and resorts will be touched, and this story like the thousands of other will quietly fade away after money is exchanged to the proper hands.......

Money has already changed hands.

This is most ironic when you have some blowhard in Phuket moaning about FOREIGNERS encroaching on Thai land.

[phupaman]

Hi All.

I seem to remember I think about 1 year ago another man I think an MP was forced out of his home in the same location by bands of screaming Redshirts, The hordes of Red were ultimately successful and the family were forced to leave their home and it was demolished, So I think it would be fitting to have more of the same please.

phupaman

[webfact]

Crackdown on Forest Encroachment in East and Northeastern Provinces

The Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission and the Region 3 Police are conducting an investigation of forest encroachment in Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachinburi provinces.

Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission Secretary-General Ampon Wongsiri, following a complaint by residents, investigated a case of alleged encroachment onto forest reserve areas in Muaklek District in Saraburi Province.

He said he found that fences had been put up around the foot of the hill inside the forest reserve to pave way for a resort construction project, while a large area of forest nearby had been cleared.

The 100-rai piece of land is deep in the jungle and is the source of a local river.

What's more, a huge house, worth some 30 million baht, and owned by a high-ranking official in the province was also reported to have been found.

Meanwhile, Region 3 Police Commissioner, Police Lieutenant General Dechawat Ramsompob, said there have been 12 forest encroachment cases in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Police are speeding up their investigations and vow to punish any police officers found to be involved in the encroachment.

Tab Lan national park chief Tewin Meesap disclosed that a court has issued orders to demolish the buildings and remove the rubber and other plantations at 105 locations within forests reserves in Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachinburi provinces.

A local administration organization leader in Nakhon Ratchasima Province has voiced concern over the officials' actions as the policies are not clear, adding that residents did not want to relocate from disputed areas since they have been living there for 40 years, though admittedly, they do not have deeds to the land.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-28

[eguerra305]

a huge house, worth some 30 million baht, and owned by a high-ranking official in the province was also reported to have been found.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-28

I wonder if some one asked them to prove how they earned the money to afford it

[hammered]

For this case will the precedent be Alpine or Sarayud?

[livingthedream]

So, I guess all these resorts, rubber plantations, and villas just sort of sprung up overnight then or do they not monitor these areas?

[KoratFarang]

NO they are scared because there helicopters might fall down...............

So, I guess all these resorts, rubber plantations, and villas just sort of sprung up overnight then or do they not monitor these areas?

[skorchio]

It is gratifying to read that some long overdue action is being taken against these illegal encroachments.

Whether anything will come of it, only time will tell. T.I.T.

Methinks thou knowst the answer to this already. The fact the investigators are asking for disciplinary measures against the officials involved (as opposed to immediate dismissal and prosecution upon proff) says enough. Someone didn't share his sweets and that's just not fair ....

[johncat1]

Why all the fuss about Mr T when everyone else in Thailand is just as corrupt ?

We all know the answer to that one !!

Certain people are not sharing out the spoils of their corrupt lifestyles

Yes This will all die a death very quickly

People will be moved to other jobs and told to keep quiet

[johncat1]

In England ALL building work has to have planning ( building ) permission .

If something is built without official permission it will be demolished no matter what the cost or who it belongs to.

This is automatic and there are no exceptions !!!

[Businessman]

In such a poor country, why demolish them? Why not confiscate the houses / resorts and use them for housing or offices for forestry workers or something else useful?

[johncat1]

In such a poor country, why demolish them? Why not confiscate the houses / resorts and use them for housing or offices for forestry workers or something else useful?

Because forestry land was destroyed to build these homes!!!

Illegally constructed buildings have to be demolished not just to make an example of these corrupt people BUT to try to reclaim forestry land

[Dag]

In England ALL building work has to have planning ( building ) permission .

If something is built without official permission it will be demolished no matter what the cost or who it belongs to.

This is automatic and there are no exceptions !!!

What does that have to do with the price of tea in Calcutta ?

[JurgenG]

Why all the fuss about Mr T when everyone else in Thailand is just as corrupt ?

We all know the answer to that one !!

Certain people are not sharing out the spoils of their corrupt lifestyles

Yes This will all die a death very quickly

People will be moved to other jobs and told to keep quiet

Yes, that's what I assumed too.

This has been going on for years but this time the crack down seems to be on a larger scale.

What's really going on ? I've asked a number of people and I got as many answers as the number of people I asked. Basically it seems nobody really knows.

Score settling ? PT lost to BJT in Wang Nam Khieo.

Land speculation ? Most of the problems are because of land titles but if the new government pass a bill upgrading the land titles, the lands concerned will see their value increase dramatically ( ) So scaring the people away to be able to buy land cheap will be very profitable for people in the know.

War on drugs ? A lot of these lands are owned by crook politicians and officials, people even talk about money laundering.

And many others ...

But one explanation nobody seems to believe is that the officials from the forest department have suddenly grown a conscience

[housepainter]

It merely shows there are a few honest Thais trying to uphold the law in the face of a corrupt and loathsome majority for whom wealth, greed and exploitation, both of people and property, is the norm.

All in all, it makes for an unsatisfactory outcome.

A land where there is no application of the law. No observance of the needs of the environment or the protection of fragile natural resources.

One could easily despair with Thailand, politically and economically.

The place is a shambles where so little works and here we have a good example of why.

Former PMs own some of this land and do so illegally. The rot is from the top down.

A problem is that we vies Thailand with the benefit of civilised, law abiding eyes. A handful of Thais do too.

Alas it is not enough.

Nothing in Thailand will improve until the Thais themselves change their attitude to one of wishing to contribute through public service for the benefit of the country rather than pursuing private agendas to get rich quick.

I see little chance of any improvement.

[Richard4849]

But...a lot of people like things the way they are. Sabai sabai, not so serious. Rules are meant to be bent or broken.

And I'm not just talking about Thais...loads of foreigners, too...

[Bkkorupcountry]

But...a lot of people like things the way they are. Sabai sabai, not so serious. Rules are meant to be bent or broken.

And I'm not just talking about Thais...loads of foreigners, too...

Good point. Most farangs think that Thailand should have the same values and conditions as their home lands without realising that this is Thailand with a very different set of cultures and morals and values and ethics and what have you.

[tonglen]

Wait, let me step away from my keyboard to puke....... Ok, I am back.

1. How do policeman on modest salaries afford multi million baht homes ? Just kidding, I already know the answer to that one.

2. TIT. Not one brick of those homes and resorts will be touched, and this story like the thousands of other will quietly fade away after money is exchanged to the proper hands.......

1. Youre right, and....

2. Youre right

Dont you just hate it when youre right about the wrong things?

[tonglen]

In such a poor country, why demolish them? Why not confiscate the houses / resorts and use them for housing or offices for forestry workers or something else useful?

Agreed. Confiscate them, sell them, give the proceeds to the villagers whose livelihood has been taken from them. Done.

[Johpa]

Hi All.

I seem to remember I think about 1 year ago another man I think an MP was forced out of his home in the same location by bands of screaming Redshirts, The hordes of Red were ultimately successful and the family were forced to leave their home and it was demolished, So I think it would be fitting to have more of the same please.

phupaman

And I seem to remember back in the late 1980s when another sister of the red shirt leader encroached upon some forest lands out in Sankampeng, east of Chiang Mai, a very hard core red shirt district. At that time the lead protestor against the encroachment was the head of a local elementary school. His reward for his efforts was a bullet in the head. And the beat goes on......Chaiyo!

Edited July 28, 2011 by Johpa

[ginjag]

So, I guess all these resorts, rubber plantations, and villas just sort of sprung up overnight then or do they not monitor these areas?

No one has thought of it===SACK THE SENIOR PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS, for allowing it to happen, they must have given the permission knowing it was wrong. But money buys any ones signature, Always in LOS. never prevention better than cure.

[fasteddie]

In England ALL building work has to have planning ( building ) permission .

If something is built without official permission it will be demolished no matter what the cost or who it belongs to.

This is automatic and there are no exceptions !!!

So??? TiT!