PM attends first 'hand-out' of plots to landless farmers in Chiang Mai

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PM attends first 'hand-out' of plots to landless farmers in Chiang Mai
Patinya Srisupamart,
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha was in Chiang Mai's Tambon Mae Tha yesterday to witness the handout of land use permits - for the first lot of state land allocated to landless people.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister General Dapong Rattanasuwan said the permits would allow 1,235 families live and use 7,282 rai within |Khun Mae Tha national conserved forest area. However, the recipients are barred from selling their plots.

Dapong said land given to people in Tambon Mae Tha was the first phase of the government allocation project, which includes some 53,697 rai in six areas in Chiang Mai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Chumpon.

A second phase will cover 51,929 rai in eight areas in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Lampang, Uttaradit, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Yasothon and Ubon Ratchathani.

In granting the land use permits, the Interior Ministry selected people who have lived and used land in their areas for more than 20 years.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will allow these communities to grow communal forests within the given areas. The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry also supports these communities' agricultural endeavours.

While watching a project |exhibition, the PM insisted that |the land was given for liveli-|hood reasons - and must not |be sold. If he used his power [to prevent such], everyone encroaching on the forest would have to leave.

Prayut said that he loved everyone in the country without any bias and was ready to do anything to reduce inequality. This project is done under a government plan to allocate this area because previously the people were deemed illegal residents on the land.

"I used Section 44 [of the interim charter] to let everyone have land for a living and [we do] not intend to arrest anyone. If there are any problems, it can be reconciled," PM said.

Around 1,000 people in Tambon Mae Tha in Mae On district greeted the prime minister at the handout ceremony at Wat Huai Sai School. The atmosphere of ceremony was reportedly happy and cheerful.

Security was tight also with up to 2,000 soldiers and police guarding the area. People attending had to pass through thermal scanners, be registered and put a sticker on for security reasons.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/PM-attends-first-hand-out-of-plots-to-landless-far-30257464.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-06

[NongKhaiKid]

Listen in everybody so you get this right the first time, this is returning happiness to the people not a populist policy.

[cmsally]

"National conserved forest" he is giving away.

[chooka]

Listen in everybody so you get this right the first time, this is returning happiness to the people not a populist policy.

if the Shin aligned people were doing this it would be called buying the people and corruption. The other side do it and it is legit and called happiness. I would really like to know if it was the reds giving away land and gifts to people in Chiangmai who would think it was acceptable. It's not acceptable regardless of which side is doing it. Edited April 6, 2015 by chooka

[alant]

"|the land was given for liveli-|hood reasons - and must not |be sold."

You think that will be the case?

And what is a communal forest?

[ezzra]

I'd wish that the PM, apart from handing out free land, re educate said farmers as what and

when and how to use the land for the best results to himself, and the country,

do not rush to grow crops that Thailand do not need, do not slash and burn crops and

pollute the atmosphere, use pesticides gingerly, and to be a responsible producer of crops...

Somehow I don't see it happening, the PM is only interested in a photo opp....

[Srikcir]

The permits would allow 1,235 landless families live and use the land for communal forest purposes.

How does this actually work for commercial purposes?

How do these people develop the properties, ie., into a sustainable agricultural use that may take 1-5 years for a harvest - maybe up to 10 years for timber?

They are landless that implies limited or no access to capital. Unless they are wealthy or can form an investment company to accumulate capital, the property will be used solely as a rent-free residence.

Without knowing more specifics about this program, handout of permits seems more like an empty PR campaign directed at an anti-Junta population.

[NanLaew]

Another facet of article 44 has been revealed: use it to negate any possible investigation of local government officers for obvious collusion in illegal land use from over 20 years ago. Those guys must be well up the trough by now so it would terrible to see their 'pensions' rescinded.

[Oziex1]

The landless arrived in a fleet of Mercedes Benz cars, greeted the PM as though he was an old friend and were handed the land titles.

They were also handed a box of matches to assist in the clearing of their new land.

[Eric Loh]

Why the need for 2,000 soldiers guarding him when his popularity is in the high 90%. That's almost 3 battalions guarding a highly popular man. A 1000 civilians attended. So 2 soldiers to 1 civilian. Just don't register.

[Oziex1]

I'd wish that the PM, apart from handing out free land, re educate said farmers as what and

when and how to use the land for the best results to himself, and the country,

do not rush to grow crops that Thailand do not need, do not slash and burn crops and

pollute the atmosphere, use pesticides gingerly, and to be a responsible producer of crops...

Somehow I don't see it happening, the PM is only interested in a photo opp....

I believe a much revered man in the Kingdom showed them the way with usable, sustainable agricultural technology. What happened.

[Oziex1]

Why the need for 2,000 soldiers guarding him when his popularity is in the high 90%. That's almost 3 battalions guarding a highly popular man. A 1000 civilians attended. So 2 soldiers to 1 civilian. Just don't register.

The will mob him with kindness like Beatlemania.

[jackanapes]

its good to see something is being done legally to help the poor farmers .

[Thailand]

I guess it was popular with those receiving the free handouts and probably contributed to their cheerfulness and happiness.

Wonder who's next on the handout list?c

I guess that what was once "populist" is now returning happyness?

Edited April 6, 2015 by Thailand

[balford]

Notes to self: Must keep my ear to the ground - looks like some cheap plots of land might be up for sale soon. Contact 'Honest Somchai' at the Amphoe... Buy brown envelopes.

Bob A. Relaxed in Lampang

[sawati]

The recipients cant sell the land plots!!!!!

They are going to find a way to do it...no problemo for yu!!

[Searat7]

Giving farmers land to use which can not be sold is much better than giving them financial handouts

[Thailand]

Giving farmers land to use which can not be sold is much better than giving them financial handouts

They are landowners now they can rent it out to landless farmers.

[chinostar]

Why the need for 2,000 soldiers guarding him when his popularity is in the high 90%. That's almost 3 battalions guarding a highly popular man. A 1000 civilians attended. So 2 soldiers to 1 civilian. Just don't register.

The same for all escorts of 'VIPS' in Thailand. Showing off and totally out of proportions, besides wasting tax money.

[chinostar]

More land to burn, yeah!

[how241]

Listen in everybody so you get this right the first time, this is returning happiness to the people not a populist policy.

ha ha ha ....same-same but same.

[Caveat Emptor]

The permits would allow 1,235 landless families live and use the land for communal forest purposes.

How does this actually work for commercial purposes?

How do these people develop the properties, ie., into a sustainable agricultural use that may take 1-5 years for a harvest - maybe up to 10 years for timber?

They are landless that implies limited or no access to capital. Unless they are wealthy or can form an investment company to accumulate capital, the property will be used solely as a rent-free residence.

Without knowing more specifics about this program, handout of permits seems more like an empty PR campaign directed at an anti-Junta population.

When furl prices went down due to the worldwide price of oil dropping there was no hesitation in portraying it as a new year GIFT to the nation.

[Caveat Emptor]

Supposedly the land cannot be sold but in a year or so if a check is made i wonder who will have the land then ?

[slapout]

whatever the final outcome of this project it is a vast improvment over the skulldulgery that went on in the rice scam, i admit to being a skeptic about many ideas/proposals made by politicans but lets give things a chance to work and be changed if needed.

i doubt the many who condemn every idea/proposal have gotten to this stage of life without making a mistake or 3, maybe that is a large part of their problem. the made so many mistakes, the cant reacongize a good deal when it is presented.

you have to listen to learn from those more learnered/experienced than yourself, you look much more intelligent listening if your mouth is not flapping or hanging open like e3mpty bucket.

[T_Dog]

Is that a misprint on the number of soldiers? Sure it was in the middle of red territory, but 2000 seems a bit over the top.

[sfokevin]

[beau thai]

I'd wish that the PM, apart from handing out free land, re educate said farmers as what and

when and how to use the land for the best results to himself, and the country,

do not rush to grow crops that Thailand do not need, do not slash and burn crops and

pollute the atmosphere, use pesticides gingerly, and to be a responsible producer of crops...

Somehow I don't see it happening, the PM is only interested in a photo opp....

I have a good friend (young thai) who graduated in Agriculture and his job now is to work with the hill farmers to teach them how to farm and conserve better. Its making a difference. Just a small start I know but it is getting attention and it is happening. And these guys dont burn-off now.

Sure it needs MUCH more focus but I am surprised it is happening at al so thought I would share...

[beau thai]

Am I being naive again?

There seems to be a lot of cynicism as usual on TV. But surely the beneficiaries have been previously making a living on that land illegally, putting in effort and money with the uncertainty that it may be taken away, and they lose all the fruits of their investment and endeavours..

Now they have land to work rent-free that will not be taken away. I find it hard to criticize this - other than for the hype and over use of military etc.

But politics is about kissing babies right? If PM doesnt play his aces no one will do it for him will they?

[MaeJoMTB]

I wouldn't mind a home with 5 rai of forest, wonder if any of the recipients were single Thai ladies?

[BB24]

They cannot sell the land, but can they light fires ???