Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has brushed aside a threat by the Thai Forest Conservation Party to withdraw from the coalition government if it implements projects that will adversely affect forest resources.
"Don't make threats. The government is not breaking any laws. During the past five years, we have never done anything that is against the law," Gen Prawit said.
On Wednesday, Damrong Phidet, leader of the Thai Forest Conservation Party, commented on proposals on forest resources put forward by both coalition and opposition parties.
He announced the party's stance on three issues, saying that if the government implements them, the party will pull out of the coalition.
The first issue involves the Office of the Ombudsman proposing the government give land, which belongs to the Royal Forest Department and is set aside for local people for agricultural purposes, to the Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) in 120 days, so the office will give the land to some groups of people, Mr Damrong said.
The land includes areas in Thap Lan National Park, forest reserves in Wang Nam Khieo and Khon Buri districts of Nakhon Ratchasima, and Pa Kaeng Yai and Pa Khao Satone forest reserves in Prachin Buri, he said.
Another issue is a controversial land policy proposal that would allow farmers holding Sor Por Kor documents to seek commercial gain from their properties, said Mr Damrong.
The policy is a pledge of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) made during the election campaign earlier this year. It was initiated by PPRP heavyweight Suchart Tancharoen, now deputy House Speaker.
Sor Por Kor plots are state-owned land that are given to landless farmers to be cultivated. Under the proposal, Sor Por Kor documents will be upgraded to title deeds, which will let land holders transfer their land for financial benefits.
Another proposal to build a road linking Khlong Lan district of Khamphaeng Phet and Umphang district of Tak will harm the Western Forest Complex, Mr Damrong said.