Thailand's Natural Resources Minister Orders Special Team to Investigate Land Claims Linked to Bum Pannada

Key summary

Mr. Suchart Chumkleng, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, stated he does not easily believe reports without verification. Regarding allegations that Mr. Bum Pannada (husband of Ms. Pannada Wongphudi) encroached on over 100 rai of forest reserve land, the minister confirmed that the Forestry Department has already verified the land is currently classified as royal estate property leased by the Forestry Department. Despite initial reports from local authorities identifying the land as royal estate, Mr. Suchart ordered a special task force led by an Assistant Minister to conduct a fresh on-site inspection scheduled for October 26-27. The minister emphasized that if encroachment is confirmed without valid lease evidence, legal action will be taken immediately, citing the Forest Act of B.E. 2484 which allows leasing for agriculture but requires different terms for resorts. Similar inspections are planned for Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province, where documents claiming land rights were also deemed insufficient without physical verification.