Authorities on Tuesday raided a Nakhon Ratchasima country club that has been the site of numerous red-shirt rallies on suspicion it encroaches on 151 rai of forest land.
Authorities from the Justice Ministry, the 2nd Army, the Royal Forest Department, the Department of Special Investigation, the Land Department and the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission all descended on the Bonanza Golf and Country Club, which also includes a racing circuit, in Pak Chong district.
Bonanza, owned by well-known businessman Paiwong Techanarong, has been the venue for big rallies by red-shirt demonstrators supporting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Authorities found club properties encroached on six sections of the Khao Siad-a, Khao Nok Yung and Khao Ang Hin forests. Of the 151 rai of encroached land, 72 rai are defined as reformed land for agriculture.
Joining the raid, Dusadee Arawuit, deputy permanent secretary for justice, said satellite photos showed that the encroachment had been expanding and the racing circuit also blocked public areas and streams.
He also said that all the encroaching buildings would have to be dismantled and officials who had illegally issued land-rights documents related to the encroachment would face legal action.
Col Sommai Busaba of the 2nd Army said that the encroachment occurred between 1993 and 2006 and rich people and proxies for national politicians had bought land next to the Bonanza complex on speculation it would be near a proposed high-speed train project.
Pattamon Techanarong, Mr Paiwong's daughter, said she was a third-generation manager of the facility and had little knowledge of the property's history. If forest encroachment is proven, she will be ready to have buildings removed from those areas, she said.
Arak Techanarong, Mr Paiwong's younger brother and adviser to Bonanza, said his company had bought land from villagers for its business expansion and did not know if it encroached on forests.
He also agreed with the return of forest areas if encroachment is proved.
Khachen Yaisoon, assistant chief of the Khanong Phra administrative organisation in Khanong Phra sub-district of Pak Chong district, said Bonanza did not seek authorities' approval for the construction of its racing circuit.
The race tracks allegedly encroach on forests in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd)