Special investigations in cases of encroachment on natural tourism resources and the environment in the forests and public areas of Southern Thailand.

Abstract

This investigation aims to identify a model of official inquiry for encroachment on the natural tourism resources and environment of forests and public areas in Southern Thailand. This qualitative research used in-depth interview methods for data collection. Key informants consisted of seven groups, namely: 1) experts on criminology; 2) experts on criminal law enforcement; 3) experts on the process of investigation for criminal cases or cases related to the natural resources and environment of forests and public areas; 4) experts on the natural resources and environment of forests, public areas and national parks; 5) experts on land and public area management; 6) experts on agricultural and cooperative land reform; and 7) army experts and co-investigators in natural resource and environmental cases falling under the current special law. According to the Strategic Plan of Protection and Suppression of Violations Concerning Natural Resources and the Environment, Royal Thai Police Headquarters, 2014, there is still severe and continuous forest and public area encroachment in six southern Thai provinces, namely Ranong, Surat Thani, Phangnga, Krabi, Phuket and Trang. The researchers searched for the best model of inquiry in order to amend and improve inquiry cases for legislative measures relating to the environment and natural resources in forests and public areas. The model was deemed appropriate and effective in terms of taking legal measures to preserve environmental sustainability in Thailand.

Keywords

• Inquiry model
• environment
• natural resources
• forests
• public areas
• encroachment