Saraburi: The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has initiated an investigation and lodged a complaint regarding the alleged encroachment on forest land by Wat Pa Chanachai.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Forestry has been directed to examine the land use at Wat Pa Chanachai in Saraburi Province following allegations of unlawful forest land clearance within a designated land reform area. Over 136 rai of land has reportedly been cleared using heavy machinery, violating the Forestry Act of 1941. Consequently, a formal complaint has been registered.
Mr. Nikorn Sirirojananont, Director-General of the Department of Forestry, emphasized that Ms. Raveewan Phuridej, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), instructed the investigation into the Chanajai Forest Meditation Center. Known by various names, including Wat Pa Raksa Jai and the International Raksa Jai Buddhist Center, the center is situated in an agricultural land reform area in the Nong Yang Suea Subdistrict, Muak Lek District, Saraburi Province. The probe aims to ascertain if the center is utilizing state land without authorization.
The Director-General reported that the special task force "Phayak Phrai" (Forest Tiger) filed a complaint at the Wang Muang Police Station in Saraburi Province. The complaint seeks to prosecute individuals for violating Section 54 of the Forestry Act B.E. 2484 (1941), with penalties outlined under Section 72 bis and subject to a presumption of guilt under Section 55.
The inspection involved the "Phayak Phrai" task force and personnel from multiple agencies, including the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the National Office of Buddhism, and the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO). The operation was led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Panngaeo, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, and executed under a search warrant issued by the Saraburi Provincial Court.
Information from the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Suppression Division (ACMSD) revealed that the meditation center, established in 2023, was denied permission to operate as a Buddhist monastery due to insufficient land ownership documentation. Additionally, irregularities were noted in village community meeting records.
A physical inspection uncovered areas with intact forest alongside evidence of heavy machinery clearing land, paving routes, and leveling land for meditation center construction, residential areas, and public utilities. Using GPS coordinates and aerial surveys, officials determined the damaged forest area to be approximately 136 rai, 1 ngan, and 36 square wah, predominantly in the Wang Muang Subdistrict.
The Saraburi Provincial Land Reform Office had issued a notice on February 13, 2026, prohibiting encroachment on land within the reform area. A thorough investigation confirmed the area was still considered a 'forest' under Section 4 (1) of the Forestry Act of 1941, as no usage permissions had been granted.
In response, the Forestry Department lodged a complaint at the Wang Muang Police Station to prosecute for offenses under Section 54 of the Forestry Act. Additionally, three groundwater wells discovered in the area prompted the Saraburi Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment to consider legal action under groundwater regulations.
Relevant agencies are expanding their investigation to verify facts related to fundraising for monk quarters construction and land utilization within the reform area, with the intent of enforcing strict legal measures.