Several businessmen and political figures have encroached on public land in Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Pol Col Dussadee Arayawuth, deputy permanent secretary for justice, said Thursday an initial investigation into encroachment in Khao Yai found many businessmen and politicians illegally acquired 17 plots of public land in the park.
"So far, the ministry has examined four to five plots. A map of encroached areas will be compared to the 'One Map' showing the boundaries of state land drawn under Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya's order," Pol Col Dussadee said.
The investigation also showed land title deeds for the 17 plots may have been issued to the Bonanza Resort, Kirimaya Golf Resort and Spa, and Farm Chokchai Group in Pak Chong district.
Authorities also found encroachment on other public lands around the forest, the Lam Takhong self-help settlement reserved for landless farmers, and the Sor Por Kor 4-01 reform land.
The ministry has instructed the Public Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to investigate land plots with title deeds to see if the owners have acquired the deeds legally.
Pol Col Dussadee said authorities were sent to check on encroachment in Khao Yai this month.
So far, about 80-90% of title deeds illegally acquired have been revoked while authorities were in the process of scrapping title deeds for some 600 rai of land.
Regarding the probe into Farm Chokchai Group, Pol Col Dussadee said initial investigations found it has encroached on the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land, public areas, and also blocked an entrance to a village.
Ownership papers for the majority of the land owned by the firm were illegally issued, he said.
A probe was launched by the Department of Special Investigation after residents of Ban Hin Phloeng Moo 1 in Pak Chong district accused the company of illegally obtaining a land deed and building fences that blocked them from getting to their village.
Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantharanothai said an investigation panel would look into the public road to the village which was allegedly blocked by the fences. He had signed an order setting up the panel.
The panel will include local leaders familiar with the area, representatives from civic groups and government officials. The panel's conclusions are expected in two weeks.
According to Mr Wichian, the allegedly blocked road is not registered with the local land office.
He said the disputed road has been used by locals for several years but was not properly listed for public use.
Also, the provincial governor said the dairy firm was also accused of illegally acquiring title deeds for more than 200 public land plots, according to the villagers' petition.
A separate panel will be established to probe the 200 plots.
The company's title deeds will be revoked if the plots were illegally obtained, Mr Wichian insisted.