At 10am, the group of farmers from Cherng Talay, Thepkasattri and Sakoo sub-districts gathered in front of Provincial Hall seeking justice from Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong.
The group said that they had been given approval to farm rubber trees and fruits in a protected area in Thalang on June 30 1998 by the PMʼs Office.
However, all of a sudden, the area is now being investigated by Sirinart park officials who told the residents that if they found anyone working on the land without a letter of approval from the Pmʼs office they will face charges of encroachment and all their trees will be cut down.
Residents are concerned because many of them do not still have the PMʼs Office letter of approval.
Representing the farmers, Narongrit Roddam and Supareig Chumanut handed the complain letters to city clerk, Phakphumi Intarasuwan, at the Provincial Hall who received them on behalf of Gov Nisit.
The farmers stated that around 300 people will suffer because of this requirement. They also said that their farms cover three districts and 270 people so far have been investigated and requested to present the letter.
They say that they informed the park chief to give them a chance to get a copy of the letter of approval from the PMʼs Office and also documents related to them working and living on the land since 1998 such as home registration or tax documents.
Mr Phakphumi said that he will inform Gov Nisit of the matter and that a committee be set up to investigate.
Mr Narongrit said, “Residents are suffering following the investigation by park officials as they had erected signs saying ‘Do not use or land will be cleared.”
Last month, it was revealed that 100 rai of land was seized and five people were under investigation following investigations into encroachment in Sirinart National Park by park officials. (See story here)