The Karen people have been given permission to go back to Bang Kloy Bon if they so choose by an independent commission looking into a land dispute between them and the officials.
According to Suchart Setthamalinee, a member of the National Human Rights Commission( NHRC ), the committee headed by Anucha Nakasai, the prime minister, published an article on April 18 offering suggestions for the Karen villagers who had been evicted.
The committee’s initial recommendation was to grant the request of 732 Karen people to return to their ancient home, arable land located deep within the Bang Kloy Bon forest in Kaeng Krachan National Park.
Another idea was to permit 150 Karen villagers in the Kaeng Krachan city of Phetchaburi province to establish a new place in Huay Mae Priang village. Both groups may receive assistance and compensation for the effects of being kicked out of Bang Kloy Bon.
The commission also provided additional assistance for widespread crops, their preferred method of growing grain.
According to Mr. Suchart, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has been given the task of assembling a working committee made up of Karen locals who want to go back to Bang Kloy Bon, along with the government itself.
The working council will also evaluate Karen villagers’ use of agricultural land.
According to Mr. Suchart,” The NHRC is pleased that the active commission surveyed, looked into, and resolved the debate for the Karen people from Bang Kloy and suggested to the PM that they should be permitted to resume the forest.”
The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department( DNP ) had repeatedly tried to drive Karen residents of Bang Kloy Bon out of their village, but the NHRC had urged Prime Minister Prayut to protect their rights.