Hotels and resorts found built on plots of land around Khao Yai National Park, which have been granted to farmers for agricultural purposes, must be demolished and the land seized, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow said.

His vow to crack down on any illegal occupation of the so-called Sor Por Kor land of the Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) was made yesterday.

The inspection at Khao Yai will be followed by a nationwide inspection of all other plots of Alro land, said Capt Thamanat.

Those who are aware of their unlawful occupation of such land should turn themselves in to the authorities and surrender the plots to the Alro, said the minister.

The move followed an agreement reached recently between the Alro and the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to settle their dispute over the ownership of plots of land near Khao Yai.

The two organisations have resolved to ensure that buffer zones are established between forest reserves and land designated for agricultural use.