All illegal structures in national parks to be targeted

By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

Prachin Buri

After the demolition of three private houses that were illegally built in Prachin Buri province's Tab Lan National Park, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNP) has ordered its officials to look for illegal structures in other national parks nationwide.

A team of about 100 officials, led by DNP director-general Damrong Pidej, tore down the houses in Tab Lan yesterday. Two of the houses were located in tambon Udomsab in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Kheow district, while the third was in tambon Bubhram in Prachin Buri's Na Di district.

The court had issued a demolition order since 2000, but this is the first time that the DNP has taken action. Owners of the homes face between Bt4,000 and Bt75,000 in fines in addition to two years in prison.

Damrong said his officials were now taking legal action against the owners of another 50 resorts and private homes believed to be illegally built in the Tab Lan National Park area. The court has given the authorities until December to remove all illegal structures in national parks.

"If the laws were strictly enforced, these houses would never have been built," Damrong said, adding that some resort owners had contacted him and begged to be allowed to stay on.

The DNP chief said he had set up a special task force to conduct another round of investigations and see if those living in the area had ownership papers dating back to before June 30, 1998, when the Cabinet designated the areas as national park.

Meanwhile, security and forest officials in Yala confirmed that 836,000-rai of the Sirikit forest reserve, originally known as the Hala-Bala forest, had been emptied to make way for agarwood trees, the resin of which is used to make incense.

The officials will visit the forest reserve today to verify the report and estimate the scale of the encroachment because the only evidence available are aerial photographs published in newspapers.

-- The Nation 2011-09-22

Koh Samet anyone? How can a national park be so full of resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants?

Koh Samet anyone? How can a national park be so full of resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants?

Local corruption away from scrutiny.

How about some bombing practice for the RTAF or some explosives training for the Army. Makes for good TV footage. :jap:

Koh Samet anyone? How can a national park be so full of resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants?

Local corruption away from scrutiny.

How about some bombing practice for the RTAF or some explosives training for the Army. Makes for good TV footage. :jap:

Too much money (Corruption) at stake at Koh Samet! Whats the bet that Koh Samet is legally given over to big business.

However by demolishing and paying compensation (555) to so called "owners" on the island would send a big message that this is Thai public land and not Thai private land to all those criminals who have illegal structures on Thai public land. Pigs will fly!

I read in the Bangkok Post that the guy "Damrong" was saying it is the rich people who are building houses on the land, but looking at the pictures in the paper and here the houses do not seem to stand out as houses for rich people.

Koh Samet - Just blow up all the structures entire island

Koh Kradan - Broken down guest quarters neds to be torn down, half complete bungalows need to be dragged into the sea

Koh Ngai - Another NP stolen by squatters.

Koh Rork - Some of the best bungalows in the system, now derelict. Sad.

Koh Lipe - Blow up every structure on the island.

Koh Adang - ILLEGAL RESORT BUILT ON BACK SIDE OF ADANG. BLOW IT UP.

Krabi and Phuket - Let nature and campers reclaim them now!!

Koh Samet - Just blow up all the structures entire island

Koh Kradan - Broken down guest quarters neds to be torn down, half complete bungalows need to be dragged into the sea

Koh Ngai - Another NP stolen by squatters.

Koh Rork - Some of the best bungalows in the system, now derelict. Sad.

Koh Lipe - Blow up every structure on the island.

Koh Adang - ILLEGAL RESORT BUILT ON BACK SIDE OF ADANG. BLOW IT UP.

Krabi and Phuket - Let nature and campers reclaim them now!!

If nothing else it would make Thailand the 'hub' of explosions

Are they naming the owners?

Hmmmm TIT

I read in the Bangkok Post that the guy "Damrong" was saying it is the rich people who are building houses on the land, but looking at the pictures in the paper and here the houses do not seem to stand out as houses for rich people.

Yes, an excellent observation.

Let's see the "RESORTS" being torn down along with the multi-million Baht homes in Khao Yai.

HOORAAAYYYY!

Obviously its only the cheap houses being torn down as the rich can pay for a stay of demolition and why may i ask only 2 houses out of hundreds that are built illegally there. Makes you wonder now.<BR>Andy

Khao Yai too???

I read in the Bangkok Post that the guy "Damrong" was saying it is the rich people who are building houses on the land, but looking at the pictures in the paper and here the houses do not seem to stand out as houses for rich people.

Don't look like squatters to me.