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Cheewaphab delegates chair role to Jirasak over forest encroachment

Cheewaphab delegates chair role to Jirasak over forest encroachment

Matichon•Politics•28m ago

Reader Briefing

Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment investigates forest encroachment for commercial ginger cultivation in Chiang Mai.

  • •On September 16, 2026, Cheewaphab Cheewatham delegated Jirasak Chookwamdee to chair a meeting regarding forest encroachment in Chai Prakan District, Chiang Mai.
  • •Forest areas including National Reserved Forests and the Chai Prakan Forest Plantation were encroached upon for commercial ginger farming.
  • •The Forest Department has filed 8 lawsuits and plans to use Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act to demolish illegal structures.
  • •Jamlong Anantasuk reported that patrol drones are all damaged and requested emergency central budget from the government for repairs.

Overview

  • •On September 16, 2026, Cheewaphab Cheewatham assigned Jirasak Chookwamdee to chair a meeting to consider complaints about forest encroachment in Chai Prakan District, Chiang Mai.
  • •The encroachment involves the cultivation of ginger for commercial purposes across National Reserved Forests, KTC areas, and the Chai Prakan Forest Plantation.
  • •The Forest Industry Organization (FIO) paid compensation to a group of outside farmers to remove 69 rai of ginger crops, leading to a factual investigation into the appropriateness of such payments.
  • •The Forest Department has initiated 8 legal cases and will apply Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act for immediate demolition of illegal sites.
  • •Wanchai Rujanawong observed that large-scale ginger investment likely involves large private companies acting as buyers for export or industry.
  • •Chonsawarat Thanasupornpong warned that the thousands of rai of cleared forest will take at least 10 years to recover.
  • •Jamlong Anantasuk stated that government officials lack budget, resulting in the failure to repair 2-3 damaged aerial patrol drones.
  • •Cheewaphab Cheewatham intends to step down from the duties of commission chairperson once the court accepts a lawsuit against him.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Jamlong Anantasuk
"lack of budget"
ขาดแคลนงบประมาณ
Jamlong Anantasuk
"all completely damaged"
พังเสียหายทั้งหมด
Jamlong Anantasuk
"central budget"
งบกลาง

Key Entities

Person

Cheewaphab Cheewatham(ชีวะภาพ ชีวะธรรม)
Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
Jirasak Chookwamdee(จิระศักดิ์ ชูความดี)
Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
Bamrungrat Chetsing(บำรุงรัตน์ เชษฐสิงห์)
Inspector General of the Royal Forest Department.
Kritsayam Kongsatri(กริชสยามคงสตรี)
Director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 16 Chiang Mai.
Kriangsak Payungsaenkul(เกรียงศักดิ์พยุงแสนกุล)
Manager of the Forest Industry Organization, Chiang Mai Region.
Somkid Panyawadee(สมคิดปัญญาวดี)
Director of the Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment Chiang Mai.
Wanchai Rujanawong(วันชัย รุจนวงศ์)
Honorary Advisor to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
Chonsawarat Thanasupornpong(ชนศวรรตน์ ธนศุภรณ์พงษ์)
Honorary Advisor to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
Jamlong Anantasuk(จำลอง อนันตสุข)
Senator for Suphan Buri and Secretary of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

Organization

Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment(คณะกรรมาธิการทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม วุฒิสภา)
A senate committee investigating forest encroachment and environmental issues.
Royal Forest Department(กรมป่าไม้)ℹ️
The government agency responsible for forest law enforcement and management.
Forest Industry Organization(องค์การอุตสาหกรรมป่าไม้)
The agency managing the Chai Prakan Forest Plantation.
Office of the National Land Policy Committee(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการนโยบายที่ดินแห่งชาติ)
An agency providing clarification on land policy issues during the commission meeting.

Place

Chai Prakan District(อำเภอไชยปราการ)ℹ️
The location in Chiang Mai where forest encroachment occurred.
Chiang Mai Province(จังหวัดเชียงใหม่)ℹ️
The province where the forest encroachment cases are located.
Chai Prakan Forest Plantation(สวนป่าไชยปราการ)
An area of approximately 11,400 rai that was partially encroached upon for ginger cultivation.

Law

National Reserved Forest Act(พ.ร.บ.ป่าสงวนแห่งชาติ)
The law used by the Forest Department to demolish illegal encroachments under Section 25.