Joining Capt Piya yesterday was Police Lieutenant Colonel Amorn Hongsritong, Director of the DSI’s Bureau of Natural Resources and Environment Crime, and fellow DSI Special Case Investigators.
The officers used a drone to take aerial images of the parcel of land, and gathered other evidence and questioned officials in the area.
The land covers about 15-3-71 rai. With the land estimated to be valued at about B15 million per rai, the entire plot is estimated to be worth more than B225mn, Capt Piya said.
“The Department of Special Investigation has focused on the protection and preservation of natural resources, especially in the national forest reserves, national parks and public land shared by the people, in order to create stability and sustainability in nature economy and tourism,” Capt Piya said.
“The appraisal of the said plot of land at approximately B15 million per rai; the initial total value should be around B225 million, which represents a loss of the country’s economic security,” he said.
The encroachment was first reported by officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) after park staff noticed the plot had been cleared and appeared to be within the national park’s boundaries in Moo 1, Sakhu.
The DSI reviewed the complaint and accepted it as a Special Case on Feb 15, the DSI noted in its report of the inspection yesterday.
“The team of officials has examined and found that the land where the incident occurred overlaps with the area of Sirinath National Park and is located in the area of public land,” the DSI said in its report.
The person claiming to own the land had presented SorKor 1 (No. 283) as evidence of rights to ownership.
“It is believed that the land ownership notification form (SorKor 1) referred to does not match the location of the plot of land at the scene,” the DSI said plainly in its report.
The use of a SorKor 1 land document issued for one parcel of land in order to claim land elsewhere has become renowned in Phuket as a ‘Flying SorKor’.
“The incident area is in the national park area. and public interest It is a valuable resource area of the land. It is also close to Phuket International Airport, which is an important area with high land value and is a source for the country’s economy.” the DSI noted.
It is therefore a matter that has a serious impact on public order and good morals of the people that impacts on the economy,” the agency added.
The Department of Special Investigation has assigned the Natural Resources and Environment Litigation Division to be the “owner” of the case, the DSI noted.
“If there is any progress in the investigation, the Department of Special Investigation will report to you in the future,” the agency assured.