Thailand Environment Minister Orders Special Task Force to Investigate Land Claims Involving Bum Pannada

Key summary

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchat Chomklin stated on October 24, 2026, at Thung Tham Luang that he does not easily believe reports without verification. Addressing allegations that the husband of Ms. Pannada Wong-udee (Bum), president of the Organization for Good Foundation, encroached on over 100 rai of forest reserve land, the minister confirmed that the Forest Department has already sent officials to investigate. Initial reports indicate the land in question is classified as royal state land managed by the Land Office, which also leases land from the Royal Property Department. Despite these initial findings, Minister Suchat emphasized that he does not trust reports solely from subordinates and ordered a special task force, including an Assistant Minister, to conduct a fresh on-site inspection scheduled for October 26-27, 2026. The minister noted that if the land is indeed forest under the 1984 law, it can be leased for agriculture, but unauthorized encroachment without lease agreements would result in arrest and demolition, citing the Taphlan National Park case as a precedent. He also mentioned similar investigations are underway regarding Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, where documents claim land rights but require further verification.