Land–grabbing probes to go on, says new chief.

More encroachment complaints filed

The new deputy director of the Forestry Depatrtment said investigations related to the land encroachment issue would be relentlessly persued under the new dispensation.

'The forestry Deparrtment will continue its mission. Land and related property projects will be examined as had been the policy of the previous leadership', said Thani Viriyarattanaporn, who replaced Yongyuth Tiyaphiarat after the Sept. 19 coup.

Youngyuth spearheaded a project to preserve some 23,000 rai of forest land. Thani stressed that the special panel assigned to survey land on Koh Samui is still authorized to continue its task, adding, though, that ‘at the moment some oprations are halted due to the (installation of the) new government'.

Samui District Chief Decha Kangsanan confirmed that the special panel from the Forestry Department has the authority to continue the project to preserve the forest zone encompassing 23,000 rai (3,680 hectares) and that it is awaiting the budget of Bt 33 million as allowance for its 400-man staff.

The forest at Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls are considered prime areas, which will be declared as communal forest or watershed reservation. The proposed declaration is under consideration by the new government.

It was earlier feared that with the new government in place, Thai and foreign investors would exploit the situation. Thani allayed these fears, saying the Forestry Department ‘has strong commitment to check and investigate questionable land encroachments on Koh Samui and Phangan alike'.

Regarding the alleged irregularity of the Peak Project on Khao Dang and the Samui Panorama Property on Khao Daung Nok, Land Deputy Director Pratip Charoenphon said the Land Department has its own special panel tackling the issue. He said the two projets are now facing illegal suits. But as to when these would be resolved is uncertain.

The operations of the Forestry aand Land Departments seem to overlap as Pratip claimed that the team of Forestry and Land Departments investigators does not have the right to cancel or nullify land-ownership rights. ‘Only the Land Department has the right to do so', he said.

Despite ongoing investigations, still many villagers send complaints of land encroachment in different areas like Bang Por, Mae Nam and Bang Ma Kham. One local blamed the Land Department for allegedly ignoring land encroachments in high mountains where concrete roads leading to luxury houses or property projects are paved.