Thap Lan Land Dispute 90% Resolved, Minister Says

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Surachai Chomkhluen visited Khao Yai National Park on October 31, 2026 to monitor progress on resolving land issues in Thap Lan National Park, including boundary adjustments, verification of land rights, and comprehensive law enforcement. Accompanied by National Parks Department Director-General Yongyut Nakhviroj and Thap Lan National Park Chief Prachatip Jansit, the minister received an operational briefing.

Surachai revealed the government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister Anutin places high importance on the Thap Lan land issue, ordering case-by-case fact-finding. Where villagers can be helped within the legal framework, action must be taken immediately to alleviate hardship, while wrongdoers face straightforward and fair prosecution.

"Work has progressed 80-90%. The core principle is 'people can live, forest can live' to correctly restore housing rights to over 30,000 people per the National Park Committee's resolution," Surachai said. "Regarding 23 villagers prosecuted under the National Park Act, the government is urgently seeking ways to assist them. For investor-held land outside the Sor Por Kor 4-01 area, the National Parks and Forestry Departments will jointly rectify boundaries according to law."

Yongyut Nakhviroj stated areas were divided into five groups for detailed fact-checking. Verification is being expedited using existing databases where citizens previously reported occupancy, covering 20,294 people across 27,951 plots (over 204,010 rai). Assistance is also being provided to 23 affected villagers prosecuted previously, per the minister's order.

Simultaneously, law enforcement against investors continues: 10 resorts and vacation homes in finalized cases have been demolished; demolition orders for 22 more are being issued; and money laundering charges, prosecution, and asset seizure are being pursued against resort groups.