TRAT - Authorities are preparing to clear more than 600 rai of illegal durian plantations around the Huai Raeng reservoir in Muang district of this eastern province as part of a crackdown on encroachment by investors.
The crackdown followed an investigation into allegations that investors had illegally occupied reservoir land and converted it into commercial durian plantations since early 2025.
Watchara Sunthornphakdee, director of the Trat Natural Resources and Environment Office, said on Friday that authorities had arrested four people for violating orders prohibiting encroachment on April 10.
The suspects were handed over to investigators for further inquiries aimed at identifying additional participants and financiers behind the operation.
He said provincial police have also been asked to expedite the case and bring it to a conclusion as quickly as possible, while agencies authorised to use the area, including the Trat Irrigation Project, have been instructed to strengthen supervision to prevent allegations of complicity or negligence.
Chaiyakorn Luntha, chief of the engineering division and acting director of the Trat Irrigation Project, said the agency has been working with forestry officials to survey forest areas and islets throughout Huai Raeng reservoir.
"More than 600 rai was found to have been cleared and encroached upon for durian cultivation, involving about 20 encroachers. Four have been arrested, while three have fled the area. The remainder are believed to be outsiders," Mr Chaiyakorn said.
Officials initially put up signs prohibiting the use of the land and gave the encroachers an opportunity to identify themselves and enter the legal process. However, no one came forward by the deadline.
As a result, the irrigation and forestry authorities were preparing to seek approval from the relevant authorities to remove the crops and cut down all the durian trees in the area in the near future, said Mr Chaiyakorn.
Meanwhile, Trat deputy governor Peera Iemsunthorn said administrative authorities and relevant agencies must step up protection of public land as part of long-term prevention. He spoke at meeting of the provincial committee on forest protection and suppression of illegal logging on Friday.
He instructed officials to conduct regular follow-up inspections and work with local leaders to produce clear boundary maps, reducing loopholes for claims that encroachers were unaware of the law.
Local officials and relevant agencies were also told to coordinate operations to prevent commercial encroachment on public land.
The deputy governor also issued a stern warning to government officials, saying those who neglected their duties and allowed further encroachment could face charges under Section 157 of the Criminal Code for dereliction of duty.
He said public scrutiny has become more effective through online complaint channels operated by agencies such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), and Damrongtham provincial complaint centres.
State officials must therefore perform their duties with strict transparency and integrity, he said.
