SUKHOTHAI, 24 August 2015 – The Sukhothai Administrative Office has reclaimed about 1,800 rai of encroached land.
About 200 administrative and military officials, led by Deputy Sukhothai Governor Thanupong Charoensurapirom and Deputy Commander of the province’s Peacekeeping Forces Colonel Kong-ake Kayankij, inspected Mae Sin National Park, Mae San forest, and Mae Soong forest in Si Satchanalai District, which covered a combined area of 1,745 rai.
The governor said rubber trees aged between 4 – 10 years had been found in the area. The group also discovered rubber tapping tools, indicating recent activities. Mr. Thanupong said those who masterminded the encroachment were entrepreneurs from other provinces.
He said the provincial administrative office would become more vigilant in enforcing the law related to forest protection against those who encroach on national forests, and drives to promote forest preservation among the locals would be held regularly.
Officials will talk to the locals who have encroached on the land to make them understand that what they are doing is illegal. Unlike what they plan to do with the entrepreneurs, the authorities said they would not resort to legal means to address the issue.
