Bangkok Post : Villagers undaunted by Surayud ruling

NAKHON RATCHASIMA : Villagers who occupy land on Khao Yai Thiang are undaunted by a prosecution ruling against privy councillor Surayud Chulanont's right to hold a 22-rai property there.

The Surayud land-holding scandal has triggered speculation that the state will evict villagers occupying the forest reserve.

Several plots of land on Khao Yai Thiang, which were allocated to landless farmers decades ago, have now changed hands illegally. Some have been turned into resorts and holiday homes.

Ownership of Khao Yai Thiang land can only be transferred to the legal heirs of the original owners.

Some farmers sold their land regardless. Among those plots which changed hands is the 22-rai plot now held by Gen Surayud.

One villager, who asked not to be named, said the Surayud land controversy was unlikely to affect those who have sold their plots.

Most properties remained registered under the names of the eligible owners even though ownership has changed.

"And many of the original owners still live on the land, but not as owners. The buyers keep them on the properties as guardians or workers," said the villager.

Kae Siriwong, 67, a native of Prachin Buri who moved to Khao Yai Thiang in 1976, has held on to his land, and believes he has nothing to fear.

He had farmed the 15-rai plot allocated by the Forestry Department all along, and dutifully paid land taxes.

However, he expressed concern about the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship's plans to hold a rally at Gen Surayud's land tomorrow, and asked the group not to politicise the matter.

"Don't use us as pawns. We are happy here and we don't want any problems." Chalermkiat Klaisuwan, owner of Muang Porn resort and restaurant near Khao Yai Thiang, yesterday called on the UDD to leave him alone.

The UDD has held up Mr Chalermkiat as an example of what it calls government double standards in pursuing justice.

While some residents who occupied reserve land on the mountain have been prosecuted for encroachment, state authorities have dismissed a similar encroachment complaint against Gen Surayud, arguing that he did not mean to break the law when he bought the land.

The UDD said Mr Chalermkiat was charged with forest reserve encroachment and forced to lease land from the Treasury Department, while Gen Surayud has been let off the hook.

"The issue is complicated and their claims politically motivated. My case is different from that of Gen Surayud," said Mr Chalermkiat. The UDD also plans to rally near Mr Chalermkiat's resort tomorrow to stress its accusations about the government's double standards.

Meanwhile, Gen Wattanachai Chaimuenwong, a former close aide to Gen Surayud, said the UDD is using the Khao Yai Thiang controversy to pressure the government.

"The land-holding is not a big deal. Gen Surayud is willing to return it to the state. The UDD is creating one condition after another. Its real target is the government," he said.

Puea Thai deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said the government was wrong to mobilise police and soldiers to guard Gen Surayud's residence.

As many as 5,000 police, forestry and security officers will be deployed to maintain law and order on Khao Yai Thiang during tomorrow's UDD rally.

The House committee on military affairs should look into the government's handling of the situation, he said.