Khao Kho land encroachers to get last warning

Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew is one place that is under investigation. (Bangkok Post file photo)

The Royal Forest Department will issued warnings to about 100 alleged encroachers of forest reserve land in Khao Kho district of Phetchabun province to submit documents to prove their entitlement, or face legal action, an official said.

Atthapol Charoenchansa, director of the department's forest protection and wildfire control office, said the warnings would be posted at the sites.

People occupying the land would be told to submit their documents to department officials. If they failed to do so within the given deadline it would be assumed they have no land right documents to show. They would then face legal action.

Mr Atthapol confirmed a committee had been set up to investigate and revoke title deeds for two areas in tambon Camp Son of Khao Kho district where there was solid evidence of encroachment.

Officials were still examining documents for the land around Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaew to verify their legality.

"Some of the land under title deeds has a slope of more than 35 degrees. The Land Development Department will examine them to determine if they are indeed eligible for a land title deed," Mr Atthapol said.

Mr Atthapol said about 2,200 hotels and resorts throughout the country were suspected of having been built in forest reserves. Most of them had submitted their land rights documents for verification. About 200 have not done so.