Two agencies diverged in a wood
The stark contrast in moves taken against forest encroachers on opposite sides of a road in Nakhon Ratchasima reflects a nationwide inconsistency in the approaches taken by the national parks and forestry departments in combating the problem
- Published: 26 Aug 2012 at 00.00
- Newspaper section: Spectrum
Road 304 slices through Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khieo district running north by northeast, forming the unofficial boundary between the Phu Luang national forest reserve to the west and Thap Lan National Park to the east. Charges of forest encroachment are rampant throughout the area, but the fates of those deemed guilty are vastly different depending on which side of the road they lie.
ON THE EDGE: Villagers look at a boundary marker on the edge of Phu Luang national forest reserve in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khieo district.
In the Thap Lan National Park, National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Damrong Pidech has made headlines following spectacular raids that have taken back more than 1,000 rai of park land so far. Before dawn on July 28 Mr Damrong led around 5,000 forest officials in the demolition of nine luxury resorts which had been ordered razed by the courts for forest encroachment in the park.
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