DSI Director-General inspects Bang Khanun Forest National Reserved Forest allowed to utilize by Thalang Technical College (special case no. 59/2564)

DSI Director-General inspects Bang Khanun Forest National Reserved Forest allowed to utilize by Thalang Technical College (special case no. 59/2564)

      On Friday, November 26, 2021, the Director-General of the DSI, Mr. Triyarith Temahivong visited to inspect the real location of the special case no. 59/2564. This case the Thalang Technical College, Phuket Province asked the DSI to assist by providing its officials to collect information and inspect the area of Thalang Technical College allowed from the Royal Forest Department to utilize the area of the National Reserved Forest, Bang Khanun Forest, Thepkasattri Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket Province for the establishment of the second Thalang Technical College, Phuket Province in the area of 142 rai, 1 ngan, 17 square wa, for 30 years from January 23, 1997 to January 22, 2027. According to memorandum of acknowledgment and complying with the rules, procedures, and conditions annexed to the announcement of the Royal Forest Department signed by the College on April 8, 1997, the College has it duty to preserve, protect and secure the area according to the conditions required by the Royal Forest Department. However, the College is unable to manage the area according to the laws as allowed by the Royal Forest Department. The aforesaid area is being occupied and possessed by the group of person.       

     The Director-General stated that he prioritized this case and assigned the Bureau of Natural Resources and Environment Crime and the Bureau of Technology and Information Inspection Center to jointly take responsibilities and actions. Today he was on official duty in Phuket Province. He, thus, inspected the said actual area with Mr. Chockchai Sueasawathi (the Head of Forest Protection and Fire Control Division of the Forest Resource Management Office No.12) and Mr. Sorakrit Singkham (the Head of Phuket Forest Center/the Head of Bang Khanun Forest) together with responsible officers from the aforesaid Division and Center. The Director-General knew that the area of Bang Khanun Forest covers over 5 thousand rai allowed to be entered and utilized by 7 government agencies, including the Thalang Technical College. He ordered the special case inquiry official team responsible for this case to coordinate and cooperate with the Royal Forest Department and related agencies to urgently investigate, inquire, and collect evidence for rapidly, comprehensively prosecuting the case with fairness and for further protecting the interests of natural resources as the national property.

Dated November 26, 2021