
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Two popular tourist attractions in Wang Nam Khieo district of this northeastern province, Flora Park and Faprathan Farm, are still open to tourists even though the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) has concluded they are located on Sor Por Kor land plots exclusively reserved for used by landless farmers.
Complaints were filed two plots of land originally designated as Sor Por Kor land were illegally occupied by investors who have turned them into the 103-rai Flora Park and 279-rai Faprathan Farm. On Dec 14 last year, the ALRO erected signs in front of the two plots claiming ownership of the land and ordering the two sites to close.
Surachai Yuthchana, chief of Nakhon Ratchasima's agricultural land reform office, said his office has received an order from Winaroj Sapsongsuk, secretary-general of the ALRO, to repossess the two plots of land. The order has been forwarded to Wichian Chantaranothai, the Nakhon Ratchasima governor, for acknowledgement.
He expected the governor to call a meeting of the provincial land reform committee at the end of this month to consider the matter.
The operators of the two tourist spots have remained adamant that they are the lawful owners of the land.
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. Their operators said both will remain open until the end of March.