Thai Ministry Moves to Reclaim Over 7,000 Rai of Forest Land in Chiang Mai

On September 16, 2026, Suchart Chomklin, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, announced that he has directed his assistant, Police Major General Nantachat Supamongkol, to oversee the reclamation of over 7,000 rai of forest land in the Chai Prakan district of Chiang Mai. According to Khaosod Online, the initiative follows the discovery of eight cases of illegal commercial agricultural use within the Mae Fang National Forest Reserve.

The Ministry has instructed the Royal Forest Department to strictly enforce Section 25 of the National Forest Act to recover the land, which totals 7,028 rai, 2 ngan, and 67 square wah. Minister Suchart emphasized that the government is prioritizing the protection of forest resources and has mandated that relevant agencies integrate their efforts to prevent further encroachment and restore the area to its natural state.

For residents and travelers in the Chiang Mai region, this development signals a period of increased regulatory activity and potential land-use enforcement in protected areas. While the government has initiated legal orders to reclaim the land, the timeline for the physical restoration of the forest and the potential impact on local agricultural supply chains remain to be confirmed. Authorities have stated that the enforcement process will be conducted in accordance with the law.