The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has intensified its crackdown on illegal resorts in Thap Lan National Park, ordering demolitions and preparing asset seizures and money laundering charges against investors.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said on Tuesday that the ministry remains committed to eliminating illegal land occupation within the national park and assisting local residents who qualify for legal land rights to claim land ownership in the area.
The move is part of the government's policy, which seeks to distinguish legitimate local communities from investors who have unlawfully occupied protected areas.
According to Mr Suchart, local officials have issued court enforcement notices ordering the demolition of three properties in tambon Thai Samakkhi of Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khieo district.
The affected properties include Rim Pha Resort, a luxury holiday home and Wiman Mok Wang Nam Khiao Resort.
Meanwhile, the owner of Starwell Home Garden Resort has informed the authorities of plans to voluntarily dismantle the structures.
The minister has also instructed the Protected Areas Regional Offices 1 and 7 in Prachin Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima, respectively, along with Thap Lan National Park officials, to compile a comprehensive list of hotels and resorts that have previously faced legal action but have failed to remove illegal structures.
Once the information is compiled, the ministry will submit the cases to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) to determine whether assets and financial gains derived from illegally operating hotels and resorts inside the national park can be confiscated under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
"Those who exploit the nation's natural resources for personal gain will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Mr Suchart said.
