Thai government to sternly punish forest encroachers

BANGKOK, January 4 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, has announced that it will, from now on, decisively crack down forest encroachers, as part of a national policy on reforestation in all regions across the country. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk told reporters on Friday that he has issued an order for the stern legal punishment against people who are found guilty of forest encroachments, with concerned agencies directed to take immediate action against all judicially-concluded cases related to deforestation or violations of environment conservation laws or regulations. Preecha insisted that no assistance will be provided to suspects of forest encroachment cases pending final court verdicts, but the suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the laws. Preecha said that his ministry will also coordinate with relevant agencies and governors of all provinces to help protect all forests areas from deforestation, with authorities in any area found neglect leading to deforestation or failure to take immediate solution will face disciplinary penalty. According to the minister, his ministry has also given priority to natural resources management, especially upstream forests where reforestation has been set to be complete by 2013 as targeted in order to prevent and address natural disasters-related problems on a sustainable basis, covering drought and water shortages. (TNA)