Police have pressed charges against the manager of Bonanza golf course and race track in Khao Yai, which allegedly encroaches on forest land in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district.
Five charges were brought against Nithischet Suthicharoenkul Wednesday, according to Pol Maj Sayan Janthapanya, an investigator with Pak Chong police.
The charges concern violations of the Forestry Act, the National Reserve Act, the Land Code Amendment Act, the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Mr Nithischet presented Por Bor Tor 5, Sor Por Kor and Nor Sor 3 Kor documents to police to prove he is the legal owner of the land.
Authorities believe the documents were issued unlawfully.
He denied the charges against him and was granted bail with 400,000 baht surety, police said.
The charges were filed following a raid on the project's compound on Tuesday following complaints by locals that it encroaches on 151 rai of forest land.
During the raid, Arak Techanarong, a younger brother of the project's owner, Mr Phaiwong, who works as a legal adviser to the family, said he was not aware the deeds were unlawfully issued when they were bought from locals.
Mr Phaiwong, who has paid local maintenance tax on the land since 2004, will be summoned for questioning.
Col Sommai Busaba, who heads the 2nd Army's legal team, said Wednesrday his team will follow up on how agencies handle the case.
The Royal Forest Department (RFD) is the key agency dealing with the matter, he said.
Sunthon Kanhajan, head of the RFD's Forest Protection Unit 1, said the examination found the race track encroaches on 103 rai of Khao Siad-a, Khao Nok Yung and Khao Ang Hin forest reserves.
Forestry officers have put up warning placards in Khao Siad-a to prevent others from encroaching on the protected land, Mr sunthon said.
Khachen Yaisoon, chief of tambon Khanong Phra administration organisation, said accommodation for the Bonanza project was built on land without title deeds.
Officers are in the process of verifying ownership of the land the race track is built on. Some have title deeds and some do not, he said.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said he had received reports from officials that the company had violated many laws.
Deputy permanent-secretary for justice Dussadee Arayawuth, who led the raid, reported that similar offences have been committed in many other places nationwide, and that raids must be made beyond the Northeast, Gen Paiboon said.
Although Bonanza has agreed to return the land if authorities rule it was illegally obtained, the private company still faces legal action, Gen Paiboon said.
Officials who failed to take action despite knowing the project was encroaching would also be held accountable, he added.