DSI Director-General led joint effort to recover 300-rai upstream forest in Nan province

DSI Director-General led joint effort to recover 300-rai upstream forest in Nan province

       On Thursday 15 December 2022, DSI Director-General Mr. Triyarith Temahivong presided over the collective effort to restore upstream forest land at Doi Phu Kha National Park in Ban Pang Yang of Pua District, Nan Province. Also present at the event were Deputy Governor of Nan, Director of Protected Area Regional Office 13 (Phrae), Director of Northern Operations of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Manager of Nan Highland Development Initiative with Royal Project Model, and Senior Deputy District Chief of Pua District.

       In response to the issues concerning misuse of land, natural resources and environment, Justice Minister Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin has actively pushed forward his policy guideline “Justice for Happiness” since October 2019 to solve and alleviate problems faced by the Thai public. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has since adopted this concept of this guideline and has been working with partner agencies in every sector to ensure the vulnerable group have access to human and community rights.

       DSI Director-General Mr. Triyarith Temahivong was quoted as saying that, DSI received complaints from the Civil Society regarding the land conflicts at the upstream forest in Ban Pang Yang of Pua District, Nan province. Mr Triyarith then ordered a preliminary investigation, which reveals no indication of criminal offence that warrants a further investigation as Special Case.  While the DSI investigation is discontinued, the conflicts persisted. The DSI Director-General therefore applied the concept of “Justice for Happiness” to this case by instructing Mr Angsuket Visuthvattanasak, Director of DSI Center of Countering Illegal Money Lending and Promoting Fairness, to lead the effort by working with relevant academics and agencies (among others, Pua District, Doi Phu Kha National Park, Royal Project). This joint effort has brought about concrete results, having recovered 300 rais of forest land. The land is now developed and used by the locals for rice terrace, fruit cultivation and livestock farming.

       The Department of Special Investigation appreciates the local residents of Ban Pang Yang for surrendering their farm land and change their ways of life to live in harmony with natural resources and environment. Our thanks also goes to government agencies (among others, Pua District, Doi Phu Kha National Park, Ban Pang Yang Royal Project), whose priority on solving the conflicts with people-centered approaches has resulted in harmony in the community, helped the locals shift from monoculture which had relied on toxic chemicals to fruit cultivation and livestock farming to increase their income. Special recognition is given the farmers of Ban Pang Yang, who surrendered their farm land to revive the forest. It is also encouraging that the local residents of Ban Khun Gun of Phu Kha Subdistrict have expressed their willingness to give back their farmland for development, following the footsteps of Ban Pang Yang residents.