NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Two popular tourist stops in Wang Nam Khieo district have requested more time to defend their right to use the large areas of land they occupy.
Flora Park and Faprathan Fam had until Monday to dispute the Agriculture Land Reform Office's decision they were not eligible to use the Sor Por Kor land, which is exclusively reserved for use by poor farmers, after the provincial agricultural land reform office gave them notices to quit on Oct 22.
Surachai Yutthachana, head of the provincial agricultural land reform office, said on Monday that the two companies running the tourist attractions had submitted letters through their representatives asking for an extension of time until early next month to prove their eligibility.
They said they needed more time to prepare their cases to counter the accusations by the authorities, and also had important business to attend to, Mr Surachai said.
A decision would be made this week.
The land reform office and provincial authorities are determined to shut down the flora park and the farm. (continues below)
The location of the two parks. (Google map)
Flora Park encompasses 103 rai of land and Faprathan Farm covers 279 rai, both in the same district. They are draw cards for tourists visiting the district, with stunning scenery and fresh air.
The names of the executives of the two companies have not been made public.
The issue came to light last month when local residents in the district filed a complaint with Deputy Agriculture Minister Wiwat Salyakamthorn. They asked for an inqujiry into alleged illegal use of the land.
They said some influential figures and officials at the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry were linked to the land's occupation.
A check by the deputy minister's adviser, Teera Wongcharoen, found that both Flora Park and Faprathan Farm were located on Sor Por Kor land.
This led to the provincial office posting notices at both locations requiring management to show proof of eligibility to occupy and use the land, or face closure.
The provincial land reform office said the area occupied by Flora Park was given to one a woman identified as Panadda Songsakul and two men, Suriyont Tuchinda and Sawas Sairath, for farming. The land had instead ended up being used a commercial park.
The land used by Faprathan Farm had not been allocated for use.
Mr Surachai said on Monday that the land reform office was considering seeking financial compensation from the two companies for illegally using the land, in addition to its seizure.