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Inside Thailand’s controversial plan to open forests to industry

Yesterday 17:30Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government proposes a controversial plan to expand industrial and commercial use of forest zones, including national reserves, by increasing permitted activities from 10 to 16 categories.
Environmentalists and activists strongly oppose the move, warning it prioritizes corporate interests, risks severe environmental damage from activities like waste disposal, and undermines decades of conservation laws.
Critics highlight the disparity between granting extensive permits to large businesses while prosecuting long-term forest dwellers for encroachment, threatening Thailand's forest cover goals.
The government defends the draft as an update to outdated regulations, assuring that national parks remain protected and major projects will still undergo environmental impact assessments.
Despite government assurances, other ministries express concerns regarding the protection of historical sites and ensuring no overlap with land allocated for landless farmers.