Cheewaphap criticizes Thap Lan forest boundary adjustments

Matichon•Politics•9d ago

Reader Briefing

Cheewaphap Cheewatham, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, criticizes the adjustment of Thap Lan National Park boundaries and warns against land misuse.

•The Senate Committee is studying the progress of a Cabinet resolution from March 14, 2023, regarding the adjustment of Thap Lan National Park boundaries.
•Cheewaphap Cheewatham argues that the 'forest overlapping people' narrative distorts history, noting the area was declared a permanent forest in 1963.
•Cheewaphap Cheewatham warns that amending ALRO laws could lead to large-scale land transfers from poor farmers to capitalists for resorts and hotels.
•Cheewaphap Cheewatham calls for social monitoring of a forthcoming Forestry Amnesty Act.

Overview

•Cheewaphap Cheewatham presided over a meeting to study the implementation of a Cabinet resolution dated March 14, 2023, concerning Thap Lan National Park.
•The Cabinet resolution approved a proposal by the National Land Policy Committee to adjust Thap Lan National Park boundaries by approximately 155,865 rai based on the 2000 One Map survey.
•Cheewaphap Cheewatham stated that laws and Cabinet resolutions currently favor humans over wildlife and nature.
•Cheewaphap Cheewatham claims the 'forest overlapping people' narrative is a historical distortion because the area was a permanent forest since 1963 and a national park since 1981.
•Cheewaphap Cheewatham warned that potential ALRO law amendments could allow resorts and hotels, leading poor farmers to sell land to capitalists and encroach on new forests.
•Cheewaphap Cheewatham stated that Thai forests are disappearing at an average rate of 400 rai per day or over 100,000 rai per year.
•The Committee on Natural Resources and Environment will call an urgent meeting to address the upcoming Forestry Amnesty Act.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Matichon (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Cheewaphap Cheewatham

"If it is said that the park announced an overlap with a village, that is acceptable, but if it is said that the forest overlaps people, I cannot accept that."

ถ้าบอกว่าอุทยานฯ ไปประกาศทับหมู่บ้าน อันนี้รับได้ แต่ถ้ามาบอกว่าป่าทับคน ผมยอมไม่ได้

Key Entities

Person

Cheewaphap Cheewatham(ชีวะภาพ ชีวะธรรม)

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn(ชัยวัฒน์ ลิ้มลิขิตอักษร)

A representative of the people sector who acts as a voice for nature alongside Cheewaphap Cheewatham.

Organization

Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment(คณะกรรมาธิการทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม วุฒิสภา)

The legislative committee chaired by Cheewaphap Cheewatham studying forest boundary issues.

National Land Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายที่ดินแห่งชาติ)

The committee that proposed the adjustment of Thap Lan National Park boundaries.

Royal Forest Department(กรมป่าไม้)ℹ️

A government agency invited to provide clarification at the meeting.

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation(กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติสัตว์ป่าและพันธุ์พืช)ℹ️

A government agency invited to provide clarification at the meeting.

Protected Areas Regional Office 1 Prachin Buri(สำนักบริหารพื้นที่อนุรักษ์ที่ 1 ปราจีนบุรี)

A government office invited to provide clarification at the meeting.

ALRO(ส.ป.ก.)

The Agricultural Land Reform Office whose laws may be amended regarding land use.

Place

Thap Lan National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติทับลาน)ℹ️

A national park whose boundaries are being adjusted to solve overlapping land issues.

Bang Lamung Forest(ป่าบางละมุง)

An area managed by ALRO that Cheewaphap Cheewatham claims has become an industrial estate with golf courses and car factories.

Law

Forestry Amnesty Act(พ.ร.บ.นิรโทษกรรม คดีป่าไม้)

A proposed act expected to enter Parliament soon regarding forestry cases.