Chinese Firm’s Illegal Durian Farm Fuels Thailand Land Grab
A Chinese corporation is under investigation for allegedly orchestrating a large-scale land grab in a protected forest reserve in Thailand’s eastern Chachoengsao province. This has sparked outrage and calls for decisive action. The company is accused of illegally clearing over 600 rai (approximately 238 acres) of national forest land in Tha Takiab district to cultivate durian, a lucrative fruit prized throughout Asia.
The Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee, alerted by local complaints about illegal durian orchards in the Khwae Rabom and Siyat National Forest Reserves, launched a rigorous investigation. Committee chairman Cheewapap Cheewatham convened a meeting with representatives from the Royal Forest Department (RFD) and the Chachoengsao Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office. The RFD has already seized the affected area.
This land grab constitutes a significant breach of Thai environmental law. Preliminary investigations suggest violations of Section 54 of the Forest Act, prohibiting illegal occupation of forest land, and Section 14 of the National Reserved Forest Act, which safeguards national reserved forest areas. The scale of the operation became apparent through the Chinese company’s online presence, which boasts 5,335 rai of durian farms in Thailand and a further 339 rai in Malaysia, equipped with advanced electrical, irrigation, and infrastructure systems.
«We demand a comprehensive investigation and the prosecution of all parties involved, not just local nominees,» stated Cheewapap. The committee is determined to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy, demanding the identification and prosecution of investors and any complicit officials or individuals who facilitated the illegal land sale. This includes individuals who may have exploited the National Land Policy Committee program, designed to allocate land to local villagers, by illegally selling their allocated land to the foreign investor.
The investigation is broadening. The committee plans to summon Tha Takiab police for further testimony at its next hearing. The RFD has been tasked with developing robust preventative measures to thwart future encroachments on national forest land and implementing strategies to restore the damaged ecosystem, including the removal of the illicit durian orchards.
Adding complexity, Phansak Thammarat, head of Natural Resources at the Chachoengsao Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, revealed that a Thai company initially acquired approximately 1,400 rai from local residents for cashew nut farming. This land was subsequently sold to the Chinese business, which then converted 600 rai to durian cultivation, planting on 450 rai and allowing local residents to cultivate the remainder. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the villagers who illegally sold their land rights.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between economic development and environmental protection. The lure of profits from durian cultivation, often dubbed the «king of fruits,» can incentivize illegal activities, especially when complex land ownership structures and potential corruption create opportunities for exploitation. The investigation’s outcome will be closely watched, not only for its legal implications but also for its broader impact on Thailand’s commitment to preserving its natural resources. The government’s response will set a crucial precedent for future cases involving foreign investment and environmental protection.
