Minister Orders Fresh Probe of Forest Land Tied to Charity Head's Husband
Natural Resources Minister Suchat Chomklin has ordered a central special task force to re-investigate allegations that the husband of charity leader Boom Panadda encroached on over 100 rai of reserved forest land. The minister rejected a preliminary report stating the land is Crown Property leased by the Forest Department, demanding on-site verification by October 27. He warned that if encroachment is proven, immediate legal action will follow, similar to past national park cases.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin stated he does not easily believe the initial report and is preparing to deploy a special task force to verify whether the husband of Boom Panadda, president of the Do Good Foundation, encroached on over 100 rai of reserved forest land. Speaking at Sanam Luang at 06:50 on October 24, 2026, the minister addressed allegations that the spouse of Pannada Wongphudee had occupied the forest area. He said the Royal Forest Department had been sent to investigate, and their preliminary finding was that the land belongs to the Crown Property Bureau under the Treasury Department, and the Forest Department had leased it as well. However, on October 26-27, a central special task force will re-examine the site. The minister spoke bluntly, saying he does not protect his own subordinates; after hearing the field report, he still does not believe it, so a central team must re-verify the facts to answer public questions. He cannot just accept a big social issue and listen to officials' reports without seeing evidence, so he ordered the special task force, including deputy ministers, to inspect immediately to verify the reported details.
The minister added that yesterday (October 23) information was submitted stating the land falls under the Crown Property Bureau, but he still does not believe it. He emphasized that if the area is forest land under the 1941 Forest Act, it can be leased, but if there is encroachment without lease proof, it will be treated like the Thap Lan National Park case — arrests and demolition orders will follow. There are two possibilities: if there is wrongdoing, encroachment charges must be pursued; if it is a land lease, it must be for agriculture, but if for a resort, a different lease type is required. He wants the public assured the ministry is re-verifying facts, just as with the Koh Phangan case in Surat Thani. Even though documents of rights are reported in that area, he still does not believe them and will send a team to re-inspect.
