Suchart orders reclamation of 7,000 rai Chai Prakan forest

Khaosod•Society•10h ago

Reader Briefing

Minister Suchart Chomklin has ordered the reclamation of over 7,000 rai of encroached forest land in Chai Prakan, Chiang Mai, for restoration.

•Suchart Chomklin assigned Pol. Maj. Gen. Nantachat Supamongkol to oversee the reclamation of 7,028 rai and 2 ngan 67 square wah in Chai Prakan.
•The Royal Forest Department is utilizing Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act to order the removal of structures.
•Eviction and demolition processes are scheduled for October 9, 2026.
•Authorities are also monitoring the Mae Thalob reservoir area in Mae Fang National Reserved Forest.

Overview

•Suchart Chomklin assigned Pol. Maj. Gen. Nantachat Supamongkol to travel to Chiang Mai to accelerate the resolution of encroachments in Chai Prakan forest plantation.
•Authorities identified 8 cases of commercial agricultural encroachment in Chai Prakan forest plantation covering 7,028 rai 2 ngan 67 square wah.
•The Forest Resource Management Office 1 (Chiang Mai) issued 8 orders under Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act for the demolition of structures.
•The notification period for the demolition orders ends on September 30, 2026, with the demolition date set for October 9, 2026.
•Pol. Maj. Gen. Nantachat Supamongkol chaired a follow-up meeting on September 15, 2026, involving the Royal Forest Department, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the Forest Industry Organization.
•In the Mae Fang National Reserved Forest area above the Mae Thalob reservoir, 10 cases involving approximately 112 rai of encroachment after 2014 have been prosecuted.
•Suchart Chomklin ordered the use of aerial photographs from 2024–2025 to monitor and prevent new encroachments.
•Suchart Chomklin instructed local agencies to increase patrol frequency and take immediate legal action against any further encroachment.

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Key Quotes

Suchart Chomklin

"The government prioritizes the protection of forest resources. Forest encroachment must be handled according to the law straightforwardly and fairly."

รัฐบาลให้ความสำคัญกับการปกป้องทรัพยากรป่าไม้ การบุกรุกพื้นที่ป่าจะต้องดำเนินการตามกฎหมายอย่างตรงไปตรงมาและเป็นธรรม

Key Entities

Person

Suchart Chomklin(สุชาติ ชมกลิ่น)ℹ️

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Nantachat Supamongkol(พล.ต.ต.นันทชาติ ศุภมงคล)

Assistant Minister attached to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Organization

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment(กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)ℹ️

The ministry overseeing forest resource protection and reclamation.

Royal Forest Department(กรมป่าไม้)ℹ️

The agency responsible for enforcing laws and receiving reclaimed forest land for restoration.

Forest Resource Management Office 1 (Chiang Mai)(สำนักจัดการทรัพยากรป่าไม้ที่ 1 (เชียงใหม่))

The office that issued demolition orders under the National Reserved Forest Act.

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation(กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช)ℹ️

An agency collaborating in the integrated forest protection efforts.

Forest Industry Organization(องค์การอุตสาหกรรมป่าไม้)

An organization collaborating in the integrated forest protection efforts.

Place

Chiang Mai(เชียงใหม่)ℹ️

The province where the forest encroachments are located.

Chai Prakan Forest Plantation(สวนป่าไชยปราการ)

The area where over 7,000 rai were encroached upon for commercial agriculture.

Mae Fang National Reserved Forest(ป่าสงวนแห่งชาติ ป่าลุ่มน้ำแม่ฝาง)

The forest area containing the Mae Thalob reservoir being monitored for encroachment.

Mae Thalob Reservoir(อ่างเก็บน้ำแม่ทะลบ)

A reservoir located within the Mae Fang National Reserved Forest.

Law

National Reserved Forest Act(พระราชบัญญัติป่าสงวนแห่งชาติ)

The law used under Section 25 to order the demolition of illegal structures in forest areas.