Bangkok: Forestry officials raided a famous Buddhist monastery in Ubon Ratchathani for encroaching on a protected forest. The Director-General of the Department of Forestry has ordered the forest ranger unit to expand its investigation into a renowned Buddhist monastery in Sirindhorn District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, after a tip-off from a concerned citizen that the monastery was using land beyond its permitted area. A complaint has been filed at the Chong Mek Police Station, and the revocation of the land use permit is imminent. A committee will also be formed to investigate whether any officials facilitated the illegal use of the land.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nikorn Sirirojananont, Director-General of the Department of Forestry, revealed that he has ordered a special operations unit, "Phayak Phrai," led by Mr. Chanchai Kijsakdapap, head of the special suppression task force, to join forces with forestry officials in the area, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, and local administrative officials to investigate the facts regarding a Buddhist monastery in Chong Mek Subdistrict, Sirindhorn District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. This monastery had been granted permission to participate in the Buddhist Park project, but was found to be utilizing the land beyond the designated boundaries.
A field inspection of the coordinates and boundaries within the "Huai Yot Mon" National Forest Reserve revealed clear evidence of encroachment beyond the Buddhist Park project area. A total of 48 structures have been built, including accommodations for monks and nuns, a building for meditation practitioners, and structures cleverly concealed within trees to evade inspection. Such actions constitute violations of the National Forest Reserve Act of 1964 and the Forestry Act of 1941, as they involve unauthorized access to forest land and are outside the area previously surveyed jointly by officials and representatives of the monastic community.
Mr. Nikorn stated that officials have now gathered evidence to file a complaint with the investigating officers at Chong Mek Police Station to prosecute those involved decisively according to the law. He also issued instructions on two important issues: the legal aspects of the case, with the matter being forwarded to the Community Forest Management Office for consideration of revoking the permit and immediately canceling the Buddhist park project if it is found that the actions in question seriously violate the terms of the agreement. Regarding disciplinary action against officials, a committee will be formed to investigate the facts surrounding the forestry officials responsible for the area during the previous period to determine if they neglected their duties or allowed encroachment to occur.
"The Forestry Department's policy is clear: right is right, wrong is wrong. The use of land within Buddhist parks must be for forest conservation, not as a cover for expanding construction areas. If any violations of these conditions are found, there will be no leniency, and the rights will be revoked immediately," Mr. Nikorn said.