BANGKOK, 25 April 2015 – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha says the government has reclaimed more than 35 million rai of illegally-owned forest areas.
During his weekly TV talk show, PM Prayut said the forest areas which were fetched back from encroachers would be revived. Parts of the land have been set aside for landless villagers.
PM Prayut, however, confirmed that those allowed to use the allocated land were unable to sell them. They are required to pledge their assets or agricultural yields to obtain the right to land use.
The government has so far handed more than 100,000 rai of confiscated land to villagers in 12 provinces and has planned to allot another 50,000 rai to those in 17 provinces this year.
