Authorities have conducted an inspection of 135 resorts suspected of encroaching on forest reserve in Phetchabun's Khao Kho district.
Combined teams of forestry, administrative and military officers were sent to the resorts, which cover a total of 2,750 plots in tambons Khao Kho, Sado Pong, Rim Simuang and Nong Maena yesterday.
Although the resorts may not occupy the agricultural land granted by the state to landless farmers, they are suspected of sitting on Khao Pang Ko Wang Chomphu forest reserve.
The officials were sent to collect information about land ownership held by the resorts, which state the identities of landowners, occupants and relevant documents. These records will be used to determine whether any resorts have encroached on the protected forest, they said.
According to the officials, after the survey is completed, the resort proprietors will be called to present evidence to confirm their legal rights to own the land where their resorts are situated.
Any resort owner who fails to present legal land occupation rights documents or found to have encroached on forest land will be questioned by officials. They will also be ordered to remove resort accommodation and buildings which invade protected forest land.
If the proprietors ignore the order to dismantle the structures, they will face immediate prosecution, officers said.
According to authorities, the survey, which has been carried out since Tuesday, is about 40% complete and the task is expected to be wrapped up in February next year.
Authorities said they also received information that many more resorts not earmarked for the inspection may also be located in the forest zone.