Thailand Cracks Down on Illegal Resorts at Khao Yai National Park
Thailand's environment ministry is demolishing illegal resorts at Khao Yai National Park while helping legitimate residents, with authorities targeting luxury hotels for money laundering investigations by late August.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin revealed that the ministry is intensifying its crackdown on illegal encroachment at Khao Yai National Park while providing assistance to legitimate residents. The government distinguishes between ordinary people entitled to land rights under Cabinet resolution and wealthy business owners who illegally constructed hotels and resorts for profit. Officials led by Thewinthorn Meesap, head of the land verification and enforcement task force, have posted demolition notices against three resort owners—Rimpha Resort, a luxury vacation home, and Vimaan Mist Wang Nam Khiao—while StarWell Home Garden Resort has agreed to self-demolish. Minister Suchat stated that the ministry has instructed conservation area offices to compile comprehensive data on all hotels and resorts prosecuted but still standing, including owner details, arrest records, case outcomes, current photographs, and evidence. By late August, this information will be submitted to the Anti-Money Laundering Office to pursue money laundering charges, investigate ownership of proceeds from illegal resort operations, and seize assets. "The government's clear policy separates residents living legitimately in forest areas from profit-seeking capitalists," Suchat said, adding that violators face 1-10 years imprisonment or fines of 20,000-200,000 baht or both.
