Phetchabun governor empowered to deal harshly with encroachers at Phu Tap Berk

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Phetchabun governor empowered to deal harshly with encroachers at Phu Tap Berk



PHETCHABUN: -- General Prayut Chan-ocha, in his capacity as head of the National Council for Peace and Order, invoked Section 44 of the interim constitution, empowering Phetchabun provincial governor to deal harshly with land encroachers at Phu Tap Berk in Lom Kao district of Phetchabun province.

The scenic mountain-top is located in 1A, 1B and second class water catchment area which is the origin of the Pasak river. However, because of the cool mountain weather and captivating landscape, Phu Tap Berk has attracted business entrepreneurs who colluded with locals, many of them hilltribesmen, to encroach on once forested land and transform it into resorts, hotels, shops and tourism-related structures.

According to the NCPO’s order, Phu Tap Berk covers Ban Tap Berk, Ban Tap Berk Mai and Ban Na Sa-oong in Tambon Ban Nern, Lom Kao district.

Under the order, the governor is empowered to force the encroachers to dismantle, destroy or to do whatever construction work at Phu Tap Berk and to restore the land as it used to be; to seize, destroy or remove construction work; to order the encroachers to bear all the expenditure caused by the officials in their performance of duty and to demand compensation from the encroachers.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/171378-2/


-- Thai PBS 2016-07-06

[ChrisY1]

So do we actually believe that the governor will makes his mates pull the resorts down.......?

[selftaopath]

Humnnnnnn....

Out with the old and in with the new.

[tuanku]

In Wang Nam Kieow I believe only a handful of resorts were actually destroyed (possibly only 1?). Those belonging to "the right people" were left standing as long as the owner gave an undertaking to use them for personal and not tourism purposes. (the resort equivalent of an inactive post!) Whether these undertakings are being checked up on I don't know, but last time I was there there were a lot of closed up and overgrown resorts along the road.

These crusades tend to be driven by individuals and reflect the individual's interpretation of the law and his personal network in the community. When the individual is transferred or replaced, the whole initiative may come to a halt as fighting the "influential people" system demands a lot of energy and hard work and leadership. Not every administrator is willing or able to do this.

I hope it does turn out as indicated in this article which is unusually clear and specific for Thai Public BS and has probably been presented for them to duplicate verbatim by someone who understands the issues. The challenge for the future is to stop the encroachment before it happens which means much more vigilance from Park and local officials who cannot be unaware of events on the ground. In many cases all they need to do is monitor their patch on Google Earth! but boundary patrols would also be very helpful.

Edited July 6, 2016 by tuanku

[JAS21]

We have visited PTB three times in the last two years ...we are simply amazed at each visit how fast more 'little huts' appear. The beautiful area is ruined.

[The stuttering parrot]

How long has the governor been in power there?

Why only prosecute the encroachers ? Why not the powers to be who allowed this to happen?

[Bob12345]

Why is Section 44 necessary here?

Isn't there a provision in the law already saying you cannot just build resorts where ever you want?

If there isn't, shouldn't they update the laws instead of using Section 44 as a temporary measure?

[whatproblem]

Our dear leader has a difficult job when you have governors that only sees what he's told to look at