PRACHIN BURI: A joint force of more than 100 police and officials yesterday raided a resort project over allegations that it has been encroaching onto forest belonging to Khao Yai National Park in Prachantakham district.
The resort, which is under construction, covers a total area of 293 rai near a private park, called Sunthorn Dinosaur Park, in tambon Bu Fai.
The inspection found residential units, a water park and equipment for outdoor activities currently under construction in the resort compound.
More pertinently, they also noted that a small reservoir was being built to store water from a stream in Khao Yai which had been diverted, causing a change to the waterway's natural path.
The name of the resort was not identified and its owner is neither known nor was present at the time of the raid. Efforts are under way to identify and locate those in charge of the resort.
The joint operation along with forestry officials was led by Arun Wachirasrisukanya, superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), Khao Yai National Park chief Kanchit Srinoppawan and deputy provincial governor Thiwa Watcharakan.
Pol Col Arun said the search was launched after the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department's local office sought help from the CSD in the operation.
According to a preliminary investigation, the resort has allegedly encroached on part of the national park since 2007. In 2012, a Department of Special Investigation (DSI) probe indicated the resort allegedly sat on land belonging to the national park.
However, the case had been put on the back burner until the national park office examined aerial photographs which indicated that more areas of the public forest had been occupied by structures built by the resort, resulting in the latest operation.
Pol Col Arun said yesterday's search found the resort encroached on an additional 68 rai of national park land, and a weir had also been constructed to divert water in the park to the resort.
Prachantakham police investigators were commissioned to take legal action against the resort operator for violating Section 22 of the National Park Act by constructing structures on the national forest.
Pol Col Arun said he also instructed authorities to compile evidence in order to write an report which will be forwarded to CSD commander Pol Maj Gen Suthin Sappuang for consideration.
The report will be then submitted to the police's Counter-Corruption Division in order to bring the resort operator to justice.
Pol Col Arun said investigators will initially summon local administrative authorities, including a village chief, a kamnan, chairman of the Bu Fai Tambon Administration Organisation (TAO) and relevant state officials for questioning.
The probe will be widened to find whether there were other civilians or state authorities embroiled in the alleged encroachment, as seems likely.
Meanwhile, Mr Thiwa said that since 2011 all projects in the province must be granted permission from the TAO before construction; therefore, authorities will be required to ascertain which of its structures were built before after 2011.
Legal action will be taken against the resort operator if he or she is found guilty, Mr Thiwa said.
