Thai government prioritises land reform

BANGKOK, February 25 (TNA) - The interim Thai government prioritises land reform, with a pilot project being implemented in Uthai Thani Province in the central region. Assistant Government Spokeswoman Colonel Thaksada Sangkhachan told journalists on Thursday that Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha is scheduled to visit Uthai Thani on February 26 to witness the signing of a land reform agreement, designed to allow local farmers to jointly utilise a large plot of unused land for their agricultural purpose. Under the agreement, the assistant spokeswoman stated, a local land reform cooperative will rent the plot of land of about 3,239 rais (2.5 rais = 1 acre) to local farmers. According to the assistant spokeswoman, the pilot project is also aimed to help stop the problem of forest encroachment by people. In the afternoon, the prime minister is scheduled to also attend a briefing on water management in Uthai Thani’s Lan Sak District. (TNA)