Forestry Department Raids Rubber Company in Songkhla Protected Zone
The Forestry Department raided Thai Hua Rubber Company in Songkhla's protected forest reserves after complaints, finding the company operating on over 103 rai of reserved land with incomplete lease documentation.
On July 24, Nikorn Sirojanananth, director-general of the Forestry Department, announced that following complaints and tips, his department is investigating Thai Hua Rubber Company (Public) Limited, based in Chalng Subdistrict, Had Yai District, Songkhla. The company operates within the Khuan Khao Wang, Khlong Tog, and Khaoyai Ridge national forest reserves. Nikorn ordered the special operations unit and anti-encroachment task force, known as Payakpai, to conduct the inspection in coordination with the Regional Forest Management Bureau 13 (Songkhla), the Southern Prevention and Suppression Center, provincial natural resources office, police, and local government representatives, as well as representatives from the Rubber Authority of Thailand and the company.
The inspection found the company using 103 rai and 52 square wa of reserved forest area with 27 structures. The Rubber Authority submitted a lease agreement for a rubber sheet factory building to conduct research, development, and quality testing of rubber sheet production. Officials determined that supporting documents were incomplete and requested additional evidence from the Rubber Authority of Thailand for further review and legal action as appropriate.
The Forestry Department stated it is coordinating closely with all relevant agencies to thoroughly collect and verify evidence in order to ensure accuracy and fairness to all parties in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
