National Parks Target 3.7M Rai Land Certificates by 2027
Thailand's Department of National Parks plans to issue land certificates for 3.78 million rai in reserved forests by 2027, benefiting 1.1 million people. The initiative aims to resolve long-standing land conflicts through legal recognition of existing settlements while protecting forest ecosystems. Officials have already certified 44,632 rai for 14,000 people and will accelerate the remaining work across nearly 4,000 villages.
The Department of National Parks aims to issue land occupancy certificates for 3.78 million rai in reserved forests by 2027, benefiting 1.1 million people under the concept "People Can Live, Forests Survive, Living in Balance." On November 10, 2026, at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel in Bangkok, Dr. Rawiwan Phuridej, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, presided over the opening of a workshop on land management in reserved forest areas, organized by the Reserved Forest Land Management Division to integrate cooperation and set directions for resolving land occupation issues in reserved forests in line with new laws and sustainable community lifestyles.
Dr. Rawiwan stated that the initiative aligns with a key government policy emphasizing resolution of land occupation and use in reserved forests, a complex, long-standing problem. The approach focuses on rule of law, justice, and participation so that people can legally reside and farm under safeguards that protect ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources.
Mr. Yongyut Nakviroj, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, revealed that surveys under Section 64 of the National Park Act 2019 and Section 121 of the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019 identified 224 target areas covering 4,042 villages, approximately 4.257 million rai, with a population of about 1.2 million people.
To date, the department has issued occupancy certificates (Sor Sor 12 Kor and Sor Sor 12 Khor) for 84 villages, covering 5,687 plots totaling approximately 44,632.78 rai, benefiting around 14,000 people. The department now targets completing the remaining work by 2027, covering 3,958 villages, 453,043 plots, 3.78 million rai, to benefit about 1.1 million people.
The workshop also emphasized preparation for the enforcement of the Ethnic Groups Protection and Promotion Act 2025, featuring special lectures and panel discussions with experts from the National Human Rights Commission, the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, and the National Land Policy Committee to ensure operational staff share a common understanding and can implement effectively.
The workshop is expected to help reduce conflicts between the state and citizens while achieving the key goal of conserving the nation's forest resources alongside improving people's quality of life, driving policy forward under the concept "People Can Live, Forests Survive, and Live in Balance" sustainably.
