Mapping the human cost of Thap Lan National Park’s boundaries

14 Sept 02:44 Key points summarised by AI

Thap Lan National Park, established in 1981, faces a fierce, long-running land dispute with locals who lived within its boundaries before its creation, often branded as 'encroachers' due to mapping errors.
The National Park Committee recently resolved to return over 155,000 rai (approximately 250 sq km) of land to original owners, acknowledging that initial park boundaries were drawn without considering existing communities.
Villagers, like 79-year-old Cha-on Jongponklang, endured decades of legal uncertainty, unable to secure land titles or expand farms, with some, like Pinkaew Hermkhuntod, facing severe financial hardship and prosecution.
Conservationists, including the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation and celebrities, express deep concern that this decision sets a dangerous precedent, potentially threatening critical wildlife habitats within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed park.
Advocacy groups like P-Move emphasize that forest preservation and community rights can coexist, urging authorities to collaborate on joint resource management and distinguish between land speculators and deeply rooted small-scale farmers.

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