BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has allocated legal land-use rights covering more than 12.5 million rai of land across 66 provinces under its policy to address land-tenure issues while conserving forest resources. Implemented through the National Land Policy Committee, the program has benefited more than 1.2 million people in 19,576 villages nationwide. Recipients receive digital land-rights documents that allow them to legally use and cultivate state land, access government services, and gain greater security in their livelihoods. The policy has provided greater certainty for residents and farmers who had previously occupied or worked on land within National Reserved Forest areas without formal land-use recognition.
Officials cited Uttaradit province as an example of the program’s impact. Farmers there have received digital land-rights documents that enable them to obtain Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification for their produce. In 2025, 190 durian growers in the Na Nok Kok National Reserved Forest area in Laplae district secured GAP certification covering more than 2,052 rai, generating over 180 million baht in revenue through domestic sales and exports. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswivattana said the government is now preparing a new framework to address long-standing residential and agricultural land issues within permanent forest areas, a matter that has remained unresolved for more than 65 years. The proposed measures, which are being prepared for Cabinet consideration, cover more than 2.2 million rai and are expected to benefit over 200,000 people. (NNT)
