They also confirmed that the persons who claimed to own the land and those involved with land transfers are to face legal action early next year.
Chief of the DSI’s Consumer and Environment Protection Division Lt Col Prawut Wongseenil announced the decision into National Park land encroachment cases with Chief of Sirinart National Park, Kittipat Tharaphiban and other officials at a press conference held at Sirinart National Park headquarters in Thalang.
The investigation came after officials from Sirinart National Park filed a complaint to the DSI at the beginning of the year and requested DSI carry out a special investigation into seven plots of land which they suspected to encroach on park land.
After a thorough investigation, which included examination of all land title deeds, the DSI found that two plots of land encroached on park land and confirmed law suits against those involved could go ahead.
Lt Col Prawut said, “All the evidence we have clearly shows that land encroachment has taken place and we can confirm that Sirinart National Park can reclaim the land.
“Two cases out of seven are found to be encroaching on the park land. These are beachfront plots in Cherng Talay and a forest area in Sakoo.”
He went on to explain that the forest land is in Moo 3 of Sakoo subdistirct. There were two Chanotes issued for the land but it encroached on Sirinart National Park and Khao Ruak Khao Muang Park.
“The land belonged to two men named Tee Naknam and Gown Naknam. They lived and planted some rubber trees on the land which covers an area of 96 rai and is located behind the abandoned Peninsula Hotel.
“The owners upgraded their Sor Kor 1 land documents to two Chanotes on June 2, 2009. However, what we found was that they used the flying Sor Kor 1 to get the Chanote.
“We also discovered that the Sor Kor 1 used to obtain the Chanotes was forged. After comparing the original Sor Kor 1 to the Chanotes we found that the signature for the approval officer at that time and the official seals did not match.
“We received confirmation from the Central Institute of Forensic Science that the Sor Kor 1 used was a duplicate from the original. The family that owned the original Sor Kor have confirmed this,” he said.
“However, what is more crucial in this case is that they claimed the park area by forging documents.
“In addition, the officers who approved the Chanotes are believed to be corrupt and will face legal action.
“We know of at least three government officials, including the former Sirinart Park chief, who were involved in this case and they will be questioned by the DSI and face charges,” he added.
Lt Col Prawut also said that four individuals involved in the Sakoo land encroachment case will also face charges and that warrants would be sought next week.
“Those involved would be made aware of the case against them in January,” he said.
“An additional plot, a forest area next to the abandoned hotel is also suspected of encroaching on park land and an investigation is still ongoing because it involves nominee shareholders.
“Our investigation is likely to take some time as we need to follow the money trail.
“Hopefully the land can be reclaimed by Sirinart National Park soon,” Lt Col Prawut added.
Meanwhile, the second area believed to encroach on park land is in Moo 4 Cherng Talay. It is believed that an illegal Chanote was issued in September 2001.
“The plot of land is located in the area of the Layan Forest Protection Centre which is part of Sirinart territory.
“This area of land went out into the sea and the land formed maybe 10-15 years ago. After that, people brought a Sor Kor 1 to claim the newly formed land. More than five rai of this beachfront land encroaches into Sirinart National Park and more than one rai on public land,” he said.
“We know that the Sor Kor 1 for Moo 4 was used to obtain an illegal Chanote and that the land officer who approved the Chanote had no authority to do so because he/she was working as registrar chief and only acting as a land officer at the time.
“In this case three government officials, the land owner Mr Lumsar Soyson and three other people who no longer work for the government are believed to have been involved.
“This land today has an estimated value of B490 million.
“We will talk to all ten individuals involved in this encroachment case in January and let them know of the investigation and the allegations,” Lt Col Prawut concluded.