Forest land encroachment problems are now spreading to the Eastern and Northern provinces of Thailand after large areas of more than 1,000 rai of forest reserves in Kanchanaburi and Phetchabun were found to have been converted to rubber plantations by Taiwanese and other wealthy foreigners.

Natural Resources and Environ-ment Ministry permanent secretary Chote Trachoo said he ordered officials to conduct an in-depth investigation into the allegations.

“Officials reported that more than 1,000 rai in forest reserves in Kanchanaburi and Phetchabun’s Khaoko district have been taken over,” he said.

Read more: The Nation