Tomorrow agriculture reform officials will begin reclaiming encroached land in the province including the 931 rai of illegally occupied property that is part of the Tiger Temple.
So, what are they taking? That 931 rai (368 acres) holds several buildings including the abbot’s tiger-shaped office, an under-construction pagoda that is reported to cost THB400 million, a 200-room building that housed workers, and the entry arch in the shape of a tiger’s head with an open mouth.
The reclamation comes after an order from junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha. He referenced Section 44 of the interim constitution Tuesday and directed the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) to move quickly and reclaim illegally occupied agricultural land across the country, reported Bangkok Post.
What’s being taken is not all of the temple, however. There is still 391 rai that is part of the temple. That land is also being examined for lawful use. ALRO had permitted use of that parcel for religious uses but the temple, apparently, misused that land as a zoo.
The temple was closed to the public a month ago amidst allegations of animal trafficking after three tigers disappeared. During the investigation, tiger skins, amulets and 40 dead tiger cubs were found. All 147 tigers were moved to government wildlife-breeding facilities in Ratchaburi.
Tomorrow’s reclamation of the Tiger Temple land in Kanchanaburi is part of a larger reclamation project across the country. In Kanchanaburi alone, officials are planning to reclaim 14 parcels, that total 15,000 rai, in Dan Makhamtei, Lao Khwan, Phanom Thuan and Sai Yok.
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