Squatters are 'damaging ancient ruins'

LAND ENCROACHMENT

SUKHOTHAI : The Fine Arts Department has voiced concern over the damage squatters are doing to a valuable forested area near Sukhothai historical park.

Anandha Chuchoti, director of the department's 6th Regional Office, said the squatters had encroached along an ancient route in the outer part of the historical park and stepped up their destruction of the forest in recent years, resulting in the loss of hundreds of rai.

"The villagers have cleared the forest, turning it into cash crop plantations, in particular sugar cane fields," he said.

The encroached area surrounded ancient ruins such as Wat Tapan Hin, which once served as a forest monastery.

"The villagers typically begin with small patches of land, with makeshift structures. Later, they expand the area and try to build permanent structures," Mr Anandha said.

"They have also applied for land ownership documents for the occupied land despite the fact the area was registered as a historical site in 1985 by the Fine Arts Department."

Mr Anandha called on other state agencies, especially the Interior Ministry which is responsible for household registrations, to adopt a common stance on the problem. Lack of understanding on the part of state agencies had complicated the issue, he said.

"For instance, through the Provincial Electricity Authority these villagers now have electrical supplies, making their illegal settlement nearly complete.

"It's difficult for the Fine Arts Department to handle the cases alone. But it's not easy to convince state agencies [this is a problem]."

Mr Anandha said the Archaeological Site Conservation Act alone was not enough.

"We can take action against the villagers if they damage the site. But we can't do anything when they plant sugar cane," he said.