PHETCHABURI: The government's decision to send 150 Karen villagers to settle in Kaeng Krachan National Park has sparked a public outcry from local residents.
The protest came after the prime minister issued an order on April 30 instructing that the Karen villagers could return to arable land deep in the forest of Bang Kloy Bon inside the national park.
The order sparked a huge backlash that extended to people and organisations in the province focused on the preservation of natural areas and land.
Sumol Sutawiriyapat, a former senator from Phetchaburi, speaking in her capacity as the president of Phetchaburi's Nature and Environment Preservation Club, said club members felt concerned about the forest being damaged as a result of the order.
Given that, the club sent a query to the government but has not had a response, she added.
According to Ms Sumol, many generations of Karen villagers have lived in the area. Local authorities in the past traded land deeds and extra support in exchange for swidden agriculture -- also known as shifting cultivation -- which is their traditional form of rice-growing, she said. However, other people in neighbouring areas seemed not to be granted the same opportunities as the Karen, she claimed.
The order was issued to bolster Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's campaigning for the May 14 general election and it appears to have matters worse, Ms Sumol said, enraging locals and most likely denting the future prosperity of this Unesco world heritage forest.
She also asked what criteria the government plans to use to ensure the Karen will not damage the national park even further.
Ms Sumol said the order was based on an independent working group that did not include any Petchaburi natives, meaning it had limited knowledge about the local environment.
A 70-year-old resident from Baan Lad district said local people want Gen Prayut to cancel the order, as they don't see the Karen villagers doing anything to preserve the forest.
A group of people from Phetchaburi have reportedly filed a complaint with the Administrative Court to see if the order was issued legally. They also plan to protest at Government House if the situation is not resolved, Ms Sumol said.