Three volunteers on Wednesday began a 700 kilometre walk against the clear-cutting of forest at the foot of Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai and ongoing construction of housing on the land for judges and judicial employees.
They began their journey at Tha Phae Gate in the historical heart of Chiang Mai city, intending to walk to Government House in Bangkok, where they plan to ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to invoke the all-powerful Section 44 and order the buildings be demolished.
They expected to arrive in Bangkok around April 20.
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The three walkers are Krit Yiammethakorn, Sarut Srithavorn and Direk Chantaradirek. They planned to make an overnight stop in Mae Tha district in neighbouring Lampang province.
"Our friends along the way have offered support for us," Mr Sarut told Thai PBS.
Residents of Chiang Mai and conservation-minded people nationwide have expressed loud opposition to the construction of houses for judicial officials and judges of the Region 5 Court of Appeal on the site.
The office buildings have already been built on cleared ground, but the housing is still under construction on the slope, with the judges' homes even higher up into the forest at the at the foot of famous Doi Suthep in Mae Rim district. The compound is being built on Treasury Department land.
Soldiers tried to persuade the campaigners to stop their walk on Wednesday, but they insisted on going ahead with it.
The Network for the Return of Doi Suthep Forest said the walk was not part of its campaign programme and was initiated by residents of Chiang Mai. But the network supported them and would render them help during the trip.
The network plans its own activity on Sunday, with a bicycle ride to tie ribbons around trees in the forest on Doi Suthep, which will also be ordained by monks. Organisers say it will be a demonstration of their determination to put an end to the work.
