Using sustainable development, protection of forests, and increase of forest cover as a justification; the government enforces the policy developed in 2014 to target local farming communities instead of large-scale investors. “The National Park authorities approached our families and forced them to sign documents, giving all our lands to them.” says Narisara Muangklang, one of the 14 villagers facing charges. “They told our families that if they did not sign the documents, they could not continue using the land for farming and would be charged by the Court, but now they are using these signed documents against us, as evidence to send all of us to jail.”​

 

Of the 14 land rights defenders facing charges, in addition to Ms. Sakl Prakit sentenced yesterday on 18 June 2019, the Chaiyaphum Provincial Court on 15 May and 5 June 2019 unfairly sentenced Ms. Nittaya Muangklang to 12 months in jail and 190,000THB fine; on 4 June sentenced Ms. Seenuan Phasang, elderly of 60-year old, to 5 month 10 days in jail and 150,000 THB fine; and on 12 June unfairly sentenced Ms. Sunee Nalin, elderly of 71-year old, to 5 months 10 days in jail and 439,027 THB fine, Ms. Pattama Komet to 8 months in jail and 200,000 THB fine, and Ms. Suphaphorn Seesuk to 5 months 10 days jail time and 381,010 THB fine as payment of damages for destroying the forest under the Forest Act B.E. 2484, the National Reserved Forests Act B.E. 2507, and the National Park Act B.E. 2504. The other 8 villagers will also receive the verdict of the appeal court before 3 July, and they could face a similar fate, further placing all of them in a situation of poverty, with all their rights to be taken away from them, leaving children and families behind. Tai Oranuch, Coordinator of the Isaan Land Reform Network (ILRN) that works with other farming communities that are also victims to the misuse of these laws, stresses “This wrong application of the forest conservation and national park law and policy against the 14 villagers is only the first of many cases in Thailand that have been filed against local communities.” She adds “This violates the rights of poor people to use their land and to manage natural resources that they depend on for their livelihood.”

 

Emilie Pradichit, Founder & Director of Manushya Foundation, underlines that “Local communities must not be treated as criminals and evicted from their land. They are caretakers of the forest, they do not destroy it. Together with the Future Forward party, the Isaan Land Reform Network (ILRN) and the villagers, we will continue to join forces by monitoring the cases before the Court and by finding sustainable solutions to guarantee the fundamental rights of the local communities are protected, including their right to life, livelihood and right to due process”.

 

Since 2016, efforts have been made by the community members to engage with the Chaiyaphum provincial authorities constructively in order to resolve this issue. However, it may be noted that till date no solution has been reached. In this situation, Apichat Sirisoontorn, Member of Parliament for Future Forward Party provides the support of his party that has established a Committee to work on land rights by stating that, “It is important to find a solution in this case at the earliest, and the Committee on land rights will work towards it. We will join local communities and supporters in their efforts to bring a change in this policy being applied unfairly, that affects their land and their lives”.

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With consideration to these efforts necessary to address the damaging effect of legislations that have harmed local communities in Thailand and land rights defenders in Sab Wai village, Manushya Foundation, the Isaan Land Reform Network, and the Future Forward Party call on the Thai government and National Park Authorities to ensure the provision of justice to the 14 villagers and to:

  

1. Immediately drop all criminal and civil charges against the 14 villagers for the legitimate use of their land.

2. Stop, without further delay, the abuse of forest conservation laws and policies, NCPO orders, to evict local communities and individuals from land they have been living on for generations.

3. Abolish NCPO Orders 64/2557 and 66/2557 that disproportionately impact marginalised and impoverished local communities and their right to land, right to work and sustainable livelihoods, instead of targeting investor and large-scale businesses.  

4. Provide a fair remedy to those who have been affected by the unjust use of the law, and protect their rights accordingly.

5. Guarantee the effective implementation of the Sustainable Land and Natural Resources Management Plan,
   inclusive of community participation, which had been approved by the Provincial Working Group (created
   to resolve land issues taking place in the Sai Thong National Park) on 19 March 2018.

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To learn more about the 14 land rights defenders, check their profiles here