Nakhon Ratchasima: The province's governor has been asked to seize Sor Por Kor land plots, now turned into two popular tourist attractions - Flora Park and Faprathan Farm - in Wang Nam Khieo district after officials discovered an illegal land acquisition accusation has grounds.
Their initial probe found the areas, which cover 382 rai, are owned by the Agricultural Land Reform Office, often called Sor Por Kor for short, which reserves the plots for farming by landless farmers and considers any development illegal.
Nakhon Ratchasima Sor Por Kor official Surachai Yutchana said he already sent the provincial governor Wichian Chantharanothai an "order" to claim back the two plots given by office secretary-general Winarot Sapsongsuk.
Mr Wichian is required to forward it to the Nakhkon Ratchasima Sor Por Kor committee to start taking action.
"The committee is scheduled to meet at the end of this month," the official said.
Owners of the two attractions had requested more time in November to prepare their case. Authorities gave them until Dec 6 to produce proof of their eligibility to use the land.
Complaints were earlier filed over two plots of land originally designated as Sor Por Kor land alleged to be illegally occupied by investors who turned them into the 103-rai Flora Park and 279-rai Faprathan Farm.
On Dec 14 last year, Sor Por Kor erected signs in front of the two plots claiming ownership of the land and ordering the two sites to close.
According to Mr Surachai, the signs were later removed, causing officials to file a complaint with Wang Nam Khieo police.
Though the signs have "reappeared" at their spots, police investigators will not end their search for those behind the removal, he said.
As of Sunday morning, both Flora Park and Fa Pratham Farm -- with beautiful flower beds, fresh air and stunning scenery -- were still open to tourists. Both will remain open until the end of March.
Flora Park is a popular tourist destination, drawing a four-star rating from hundreds of Google reviews.
The operators of the two sites remain adamant that they are the lawful owners of the land.
But Sor Por Kor officials argue they have never granted anybody permission to possess the land.
