The Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) has ordered its office in the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima to revoke the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land certificates issued to 10 people for 13 plots covering about 54.56 hectares.
ALRO Secretary-General Vinaroj Sapsongsuk said that the land certificates need to be revoked because it has been discovered that the plots in question are not “degraded” land, but remain forested.
In his urgent order to the ALRO in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Thursday, he also instructed the officials to cancel the planned allocation of 45 plots, covering 149.92 hectares to 26 individuals, although the land has been demarcated. He made clear that the land in question must not be allocated under the land reform program.
He offered an assurance, however, that his order will not affect impoverished farmers, who are still entitled to receive Sor Por Kor 4-01 land certificates if they can prove that they have occupied and used the land.
He also said that any officials found to have abused their authority or to be involved in irregularities in allocating land or land certificates to people who are not impoverished farmers, will face legal action.
Land in Nakhon Ratchasima, especially around Khao Yai National Park, is regarded as prime land for development into resorts, condominiums or housing estates and has been targeted by developers.
