District officers were sent to inspect the site on Thursday (Mar 12) following a tip-off that heavy machinery was being used to clear land in the area.
The inspection, conducted at about 2pm, was ordered by Kathu District Chief Akkarapol Sutthirak Jitsupap, who assigned Deputy District Chief and Head of Security Affairs Jirawat Namat and Deputy District Chief for Prevention Anurak Poolsak to lead the investigation.
They were joined by members of the Kathu District Volunteer Defence Corps, Company 2.
Upon arriving at the site, officials found a backhoe and its operator working in the area. The driver told officers he was levelling the land to create an access path for a garden.
The operator also presented documents to confirm ownership of the land, including a land title deed (NorSor 4 Jor) No. 2624, issued on Feb 10, 1997.
Kathu District officials said they will conduct further checks to verify the details of the land documentation and determine whether the title deed was issued legally, in order to ensure compliance with the law and provide clarity to the public.
Authorities also noted that they could not yet comment on whether the land clearing was authorised, as they must first check with the local municipality to determine if permission had been granted for the work.