The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has defended its policy of turning agricultural purpose Sor Por Kor land documents into title deeds, saying that the plan would serve as a great benefit to farmers.
Sor Por Kor land is not allowed to change hands except when passed on to heirs. The scheme was designed for poor people to carry out farming. About 2.8 million households are involved in the scheme, which has so far involved 35 million rai of land.
The proposed policy was repudiated by Agriculture Minister Grisada Boonrach, who said on Wednesday that there is a law governing the Sor Por Kor land scheme and the legislation does not allow such a practice.
Thanakorn Wangboonkhongchana, the PPRP's deputy spokesman, said yesterday the policy was gleaned from hearings of people who wanted their Sor Por Kor land documents to be upgraded to title deeds.
The party's policy-drafting team was then informed to map out assistance in line with their request, he said.
"The policy takes into account people's maximum benefits and attempts will be made to plug all the channels that would enable investors to grab the land," Mr Thanakorn said.
As the land is capped at only 50 rai per family and must be used only for farming purposes, it is unlikely that investors would exploit the policy.
According to Mr Thanakorn, all the Sor Por Kor land principles will remain in place, except on plots that are allowed to change hands.
To change hands, officials in charge of the Sor Por Kor land scheme must make sure the new occupants are farmers and that they occupy a maximum 50-rai of land. "It is clear that we are not doing this for investors," Mr Thanakorn said.
