The Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) has instructed its office in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima to withdraw the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land certificates given to 10 individuals for 13 plots covering about 54.56 hectares.
Vinaroj Sapsongsuk, the Secretary-General of ALRO, stated that the land certificates must be revoked because it has been found that the plots in question are not degraded land, but are still covered with trees.
In a prompt directive to the ALRO in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Thursday, he also directed the officials to cancel the planned allocation of 45 plots, covering 149.92 hectares to 26 individuals, even though the land has been marked out. He emphasized that the land in question should not be allocated under the land reform program.
However, he guaranteed that his order will not impact poor farmers, who are still eligible to obtain Sor Por Kor 4-01 land certificates if they can prove that they have occupied and used the land.
He also mentioned that any officials found to have misused their power or to be involved in irregularities in allocating land or land certificates to people who are not poor farmers, will face legal action.
Land in Nakhon Ratchasima, especially around Khao Yai National Park, is considered valuable for development into resorts, condos, or housing estates and has been targeted by developers.
