Buriram: The inspection results of the "Than Chao Pa Camp" have confirmed that it is located within an agricultural land reform area, as announced by Watcharaphol. Emphasizing the importance of legal compliance, he stated that individuals without rightful claims will not receive any land allocation.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Watcharaphol Khaokham, disclosed the initial findings of the investigation into the ownership and utilization of land at "Than Chao Pa Camp" in Buriram province. He confirmed that the camp is situated within the Dong Yai Forest Reform Project's land reform area, which has never been surveyed or allocated to any individual. The investigation has been prompted by allegations against a high-ranking official, a Permanent Secretary, accused of illegally occupying the land. Mr. Watcharaphol stressed that identical laws and standards will be applied to all parties involved, ensuring that those without rightful claims will not receive land allocation.
Mr. Watcharaphol elaborated on the complaint regarding land ownership at Village No. 12, Lam Nang Rong Subdistrict, Non Din Daeng District, Buriram Province. He received an initial report from Mr. Setthakiat Krajangwong, Secretary-General of the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO), confirming that the matter is under investigation. He instructed the Secretary-General of the Land Reform Office to expedite the investigation regarding the land's origin, ownership, and use. He reiterated that the law will be applied uniformly, regardless of the individuals' status or whether they are government officials. Only qualified farmers will be allocated land, in accordance with legal stipulations.
The Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) has reported that the area in question falls within the agricultural land reform zone as delineated by the Royal Decree of 1978, under the Dong Yai Forest Project, Zone (E). Historically, it has neither been surveyed nor allocated. Records indicate that the person mentioned in the news seized possession of the land around 2010, established a residence, planted fruit trees, and constructed a canal for fish farming, before transferring ownership to their daughter. On August 6, 2016, an anonymous individual applied for land allocation with the ALRO Buriram office. Currently, the applicant's qualifications and their connection to the person in question are under scrutiny. Mr. Setthakiat has mandated the ALRO Buriram office and its inspectors, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to conduct a comprehensive investigation. Should the applicant lack the necessary qualifications under the agricultural land reform law, they will be ineligible for land allocation.
The investigation's origins trace back to a complaint received by the STRONG Anti-Corruption Club of Thailand, accusing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and his daughter, a teacher, of owning over 7 rai of land at "Than Chao Pa Camp" in Lam Nang Rong Subdistrict, Non Din Daeng District, Buriram Province. The club has forwarded the case to the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for factual investigation.