Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has invoked the powers of Section 44 to accelerate the Bonanza case. The resort has been accused of encroachment in Khao Yai national forest. Mr. Prayut used Section 44 to allow the use of soldiers to collect evidence.

Pol Maj Gen Thakoon Nattheesri praised Mr. Prayut’s move. Anupong Paojinda, the Interior Minister, had previously ordered the Land Department to create a committee to verify the Bonanza resort’s land ownership documents and to investigate whether they were issued illegally.

Officials examined the resort to determine if it encroached on forest land that was intended for farming. The findings showed that some of the land was not covered by the title deeds and were most likely forest land designated for farming.

The Bonanza resort encompasses 4,000 rai and includes a racing circuit, zoo, estate and golf course.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha determined that the police force was too small to handle the investigation and ordered the military to help. Under the order, officials who do not cooperate with the military or “under-perform” could face punishment.

Investigators are now looking into the land-purchase documents from the resort and the Royal Forest Department to determine if Bonanza is encroaching on reserved land. The task is expected to take at least a month to complete. Officials are also gathering evidence to determine how documents were approved by authorities when the resort’s boundary overlapped with reserved forest land.

-- 2015-04-09

How does one invoke an article in a charter that hasn't yet been ratified? Kind of putting the cart before the horse, isn't it?

How does one invoke an article in a charter that hasn't yet been ratified? Kind of putting the cart before the horse, isn't it?

Easy, because Art. 44 is from the Interim Constitution, 22 Jul 14, which was put in effect shortly after the junta came into power.

PM promises to use article 44 constructively was one of the articles less than a last week ago and already he is making a determination that another department cannot handle it.