Udon Thani residents delighted as PM Anutin orders Suchat to distribute land rights documents to resolve farmland issues

On May 23, 2025, Suchat Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, presided over a ceremony to distribute identity documents to residents who had been granted land use rights in national forest reserve areas under a Cabinet Resolution from May 26, 2018. The event took place at the Ta Pla District Hall in Udon Thani province, attended by Dr. Raviwun Phurideach, Permanent Secretary, and senior officials including Nikorn Silarojanun, Director-General of the Forestry Department, with Deputy Governor Sorpong Manasukhonnan welcoming large numbers of community residents and local leaders.

Suchat stated that the Ministry is accelerating Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's policy to resolve housing and farmland issues in national forest reserve areas, ensuring citizens receive proper legal recognition of their residential and occupational rights, enabling them to generate sustainable income and improve their quality of life. In Udon Thani province, the Forestry Department has covered nine districts spanning over 317,566 rai of land divided into four zones based on watershed quality grades and usage periods. Currently, Group 1 has provided farmland documents to 35 communities covering approximately 118,047 rai, with permits issued for 12 areas, while remaining areas are under further authorization. Groups 2, 3, and 4 have received project approvals and proclamations across all nine districts.

Suchat highlighted that the distribution of identity documents represents a major achievement in securing land rights for citizens. He cited the success of durian farmers in Lap Bua district who, after receiving land rights documents, obtained GAP certification from the Agricultural Department, allowing their "Lin-Long Lap Bua" durians to be verified as non-encroached and commanding premium prices with advance orders. The ministry also issued a timber harvesting permit to farmer Ms. Semian Mongta in Khun Fang subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani, granting rights to harvest 830 teak trees from Huay Kiang Wa and Nam Krai national forest reserves under strict forestry regulations.

Forestry Department Director-General Nikorn Silarojanun revealed that in fiscal year 2025, 1,800 farmers in Udon Thani province have received identity documents covering areas across eight districts and thousands of plots, representing a significant step toward securing farmland rights for residents while advancing the government's policy of "people and forests in sustainable balance."