Land Development Near Krabi's Tha Pom Wetland Sparks Investigation Calls

In Thailand's southern Krabi province, land development is reportedly underway in the mountainous "Ban Khao Khram" area, situated near the popular "Tha Pom" wetland. Plots are being offered for sale at a price of 2 million baht per rai (approximately 1600 square meters), raising concerns among local residents and stakeholders. According to reports from local media MGR Online (South), the land is currently being cleared and developed by a private enterprise. However, these development activities have sparked suspicions regarding potential environmental impacts, illegal land use, and the possibility of foreign capital involvement through "nominee" ownership, a practice often scrutinized in Thailand. The Tha Pom wetland is renowned for its unique ecosystem and picturesque scenery, making it one of Krabi province's premier tourist destinations and a recognized "unseen" gem within Thailand. Residents are expressing significant apprehension that the conservation of this precious natural environment may be at risk. Concerns have been raised about potential schemes involving the acquisition of land at unfairly low prices for subsequent resale at higher values, or the use of nominee ownership to circumvent Thai regulations that restrict direct land ownership by foreigners. In response to these allegations, local residents are urging authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation. The legality of the development activities, environmental impact assessments, and the transparency of land ownership are expected to be key issues moving forward.