Pak Chong: The Land Department has provided clarity on the issuance of land title deeds in the headwater area of the Lam Takong Self-Help Settlement in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The department addressed concerns regarding the allocation of land title deeds in this area, which has been designated for specific purposes under government resolutions.
According to Thai News Agency, the Lam Ta Khong Self-Reliance Settlement Area was part of a Cabinet resolution on May 25, 1971. This resolution approved the use of the 'Pak Chong-Mu Si Forest' and 'Muak Lek-Sikhio Railway Project Forest' as the Lam Ta Khong Self-Reliance Settlement Area. The purpose was to allocate land for farming to individuals affected by the construction of the Lam Ta Khong Dam. The settlement area, covering approximately 280,000 rai, was divided into three watershed areas totaling approximately 107,085 rai.
During the initial distribution of land by the Department of Public Welfare, it was discovered that people had already occupied and utilized a significant portion of the central forest area. In response, the National Land Allocation Committee convened between 1982 and 1984 to address the issue. They resolved to allocate land for residence and farming, without granting ownership rights, to those already occupying it. In 1994, the committee further resolved to issue N.K. 3 certificates to the people and reserve a portion of the watershed area for reforestation efforts.
The issuance of land title deeds and N.S. 3 Kor. certificates was a result of the N.K. 3 classification in the watershed area. In total, 8,738 land title deeds covering approximately 39,061 rai and 1,427 N.S. 3 Kor. plots covering approximately 13,118 rai were issued, totaling 10,165 plots over 52,179 rai.
The Land Department clarified that the watershed area in Lam Ta Khong Self-Help Settlement is not restricted. The National Land Allocation Committee's decision to allocate land and issue N.K. 3 certificates allowed settlement members to use them as evidence for obtaining land title deeds or N.S. 3 Kor. certificates, in accordance with the Land Allocation for Living Act B.E. 2511. The issuance of these deeds aligns with land management policies and all relevant legal regulations.