Community Groups Oppose Land Bank Closure, Fearing Livelihood Loss
Farmers and community groups across Thailand have petitioned the Prime Minister to reverse a cabinet decision to dissolve the Land Bank Administration by September 30, 2026, warning the closure will devastate hundreds of thousands of rural
On July 21, 2026, the Community Network for the Land Bank (KNTH), led by Bunbangorn Chanacho, submitted a formal complaint to the Prime Minister's office, joined by representatives from agricultural and community enterprises across Tak, Chiang Rai, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Ratchasima, and other provinces. The delegation requested that the government sustain and support the Land Bank Administration (public organization), or TBB, citing its critical role in addressing land inequality and poverty.
The petition follows a previous cabinet resolution setting September 30, 2026, as the Land Bank's dissolution date, which has sparked concern among farmers and vulnerable communities who depend on its land allocation and housing assistance programs affecting hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries nationwide. Representatives highlighted that the Land Bank has successfully distributed over 416 rai of farmland to 108 farming households in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, enabling sustainable agriculture and household income generation.
The network has urged the government and cabinet to maintain and strengthen the Land Bank's mandate as the primary agency supporting impoverished citizens lacking agricultural land, ensuring long-term food security, fair resource distribution, and stable livelihoods for farmers across Thailand.
