Forest issue takes a serious turn for the worse

Published: 12 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Can we kiss goodbye to our forests? Green groups won the first round when they forced Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk to halt the issuance of land documents in certain protected areas.

A part of the forest area in Wang Nam Khieo district in Nakhon Ratchasima where illegal resorts have been built. Suspension of arrests and a new plan for issuing rights to deteriorated forest land has raised fears of further encroachment and illegal construction. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

The Royal Forest Department had to scrap its plan to issue Sor Tor Kor land occupation right documents to some 15,000 poor families living on about 300,000 rai of so-called deteriorated forest in nine northern and northeastern provinces.

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bkposter
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Discussion 3 : 12 Nov 2012 at 17.433
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"They believe that once Sor Tor Kor land documents are granted, it will be only a matter of time before they change hands, with the plots sold to local landlords or the rich"
This is the problem with almost all land and very large tracts end up owned by the rich, that pay no tax on it,do not farm it and hold it for speculation.
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piyaporn
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Discussion 2 : 12 Nov 2012 at 09.262
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The author hits a nail on the head with this excellent piece. Thank you Ajarn Veera very much, sir, for raising a profile of this important issue. As power is corrupt, what is left is the doomed future for us all.
Best Regards,
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dao
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Discussion 1 : 12 Nov 2012 at 08.571
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The law is there to protect .Stop being stop weak and enforce the law .If these people need land then it is up to the governemnt to solve that problem .How many trees do we have left .Not many that's for sure .
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Forest issue takes a serious turn for the worse | Bangkok Post: opinion