BANGKOK, Aug 17 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A Thai activist charged with trespassing after refusing to abandon farmland in a national park said on Friday that she will appeal her sentence, which campaigners said set a harsh precedent for land rights cases involving forest dwellers. Nittaya said in an interview. Earlier this month, a court in Chaiyaphum province in the northeast, sentenced Nittaya Muangklang to 12 months in jail and fines of 140,000 baht ($4,218) for trespassing in the Sai Thong National Park. Campaigners say evictions have risen since the military government passed a forest reclamation order 2014, which authorities say is essential for conservation. Nittaya’s case is the latest involving villagers and indigenous communities in Thailand being evicted from land they consider theirs by birthright, as the rush to develop – or protect green space – leads to disputes over ownership. It is the most severe sentence yet for such an offence, according to rights groups tracking land cases. Nittaya and 13 others from her community were charged with trespassing after they disregarded orders to leave their homes and farms.

National Park At Phetchabun

Indigenous and local communities own more than half the world’s land under customary rights. In Thailand, campaigners have long called for amending the 1961 National Park Act to prevent such actions. Editing by Jared Ferrie. Earlier this year, the country’s top court ruled that a group of nearly 400 Karen people evicted from the Kaeng Krachan National Park had no legal right over the land. Nittaya’s sentence sets a precedent for more harsh punishments, said Sutharee Wannasiri at advocacy group Fortify Rights in Bangkok. Reporting by Rina Chandran @rinachandran. But it only covers reserve forests, and not national parks, said Thanyaporn Chankrajang, an assistant professor of economics at Chulalongkorn University. The rapid growth of protected areas from Peru to Indonesia has exacerbated their vulnerability: more than 250,000 people in 15 countries were evicted from such areas from 1990 to 2014, according to RRI. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women’s rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Yet they only have secure legal rights to 10 percent, according to Washington D.C.-based advocacy group Rights and Resources Initiative. A Forest Community Registration Programme formally recognises people living in forests, and benefits more than 11,000 villages nationwide.

For the perfect coffee with a fresh air escape, you must visit the Giant Chiang Mai Tree House. As the name suggests, this coffee shop is built in a giant tree overlooking the forest up in the mountains. This impressive coffee shop is located in the Mae On District, about 40 kilometers east of Chiang Mai. You will be surrounded by nature with plenty of birds (and perhaps annoying insects). The Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens are located in the mountains approximately 30 minutes to the west of Chiang Mai. Flowers from all around Thailand. A trip to the Giant Chiang Mai Treehouse requires about 3-4 hours and can be easily combined with a trip to Baan Mae Kampong and the Chae Son National Park. There are multiple sections to explore. At the top of the botanical gardens, you will find greenhouses with stunning orchids, a wide range of cacti, and an indoor jungle and waterfall. You will find the most diverse collection of jungle plants.

• Public Park
• Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
• Wat Ratcha Burada Temple
• Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden
• Ban Hmong Mae Sa Mai
• Pha Taem National Park
• Khao Luang National Park
• Phra Si Ratana Temple (Wat Yai)

Midway up the mountain, there is the impressive 400-meter long canopy walk which is suspended over the jungle. There are many hill tribes in the mountain ranges near Chiang Mai. Note that the canopy walk may be closed when it rains. Baan Hmong Mae Sa Mai offers an authentic view of the hill tribe culture surrounding Chiang Mai. The road to Baan Hmong Mae Sa Mai is quite steep, narrow, and in poor condition. The Hmong villagers make their income through agriculture and selling their handicrafts. Some of these have become busy tourist attractions, while others remain in their original undeveloped state. It is ideal to allow 2-3 hours to explore the entire area. Their culture and language are quite different from typical Thai culture. The Hmong culture has migrated into northern Thailand from southern China many years ago. Entry to the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens is 50 THB per person (USD 2). You will receive a map of the Botanical Gardens with your entry fee which shows the layout of the various sections.

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