Thai Government Reclaims Protected Forest From Developers

Natural Resources Minister Suchati Chomklin declared on August 6 that the government will not allow capitalists to seize Thai territory for private gain. Following a July 31 inspection of Thab Lan National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, he ordered accelerated demolition of illegal structures and instructed all agencies to enforce the law fairly while verifying the rights of legitimate occupants and smallholders entitled to government benefits.

Chomklin emphasized the government's firm stance that national forests belong to all Thai people, not to any single capitalist, and that the state will aggressively reclaim invaded forest areas while fairly and transparently verifying the rights of legitimate claimants. "We will not allow powerful figures or capital groups to stand above the law," he stated.

According to a report from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the StarWell Garden Home project—whose owner has voluntarily agreed to demolish the structure—is already 40% complete as of August 6. Interior materials and utilities are nearly finished, and heavy machinery is being prepared to remove the building framework in the next phase, with full demolition expected to meet the planned timeline.

Chomklin noted that voluntary demolition by business operators reduces conflict and speeds forest reclamation, but warned that those who ignore or refuse orders will face full legal enforcement. Park officials will proceed with forced demolition under their authority and pursue criminal prosecution. "Whoever tears down voluntarily gets our legal cooperation, but whoever stubbornly resists and tries to claim the nation's forest as their own should know that officials will enforce the law strictly, without exception or favoritism, and no one is above the law," Chomklin said.