The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has initiated inspections in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khieo district that could lead to the demolition of over 400 resorts suspected of encroaching on public land. This action is part of a broader effort to address illegal land ownership and restore public property.
On Tuesday, Thanadol Suwannarit, chairman of the ministry’s task force under the Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro), led a coordinated raid on the Golden Mountain Resort in tambon Wang Nam Khieo. This operation involved the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). The resort, spanning 73 rai, is co-owned by Kamnan Nor, a former local politician, and two other individuals.
Kamnan Nor, who served as an MP for Nakhon Ratchasima from 2007 to 2018, has affiliations with several political parties, including the Puea Pandin Party, Bhumjaithai Party, Palang Pracharath Party, and Thai Local Power Party. The resort’s ownership was subject to legal action by the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Reform Office in 2013. By 2018, a court ordered the demolition of the resort and the restoration of the land, along with a 1.98 million baht damage payment with interest.
Thanadol Suwannarit stated that the raid was conducted following instructions from Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow. Reports indicate that at least 437 other resorts in the Wang Nam Khieo district are also under scrutiny for similar encroachment issues. Among these, ten resorts, including the Golden Mountain Resort, have been ordered to be demolished by the court.
Alro plans to proceed with the demolition of the Golden Mountain Resort, which includes 18 buildings. Additionally, the office intends to pursue legal action in the Civil Court to seek compensation for damages and cover demolition expenses. Inspections by the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Reform Office will determine whether further demolitions are warranted.
Criminal charges will be filed against resort owners found guilty of land encroachment. Many local residents in Wang Nam Khieo district have expressed support for reclaiming the land and have called for it to be used for public benefit or allocated to landless farmers.
The enforcement action reflects a concerted effort to address illegal land use and reclaim public spaces for community and agricultural purposes.