Acting Udon Thani governor Wirat Limsuwat yesterday warned people against joining efforts to grab land plots under the care of the Thai Asset Management Corporation (TAMC).
"I have told police to monitor all movement in their jurisdiction and take strict action against illegal activities," Wirat said.
He said he had instructed police and district chiefs to act against the encroachment on TAMC plots of land.
The Council for People from the Four Regions has led the landgrabbing efforts. It has encouraged its members to occupy many TAMC land plots in the Northeast on grounds the government has long failed to tackle the plight of landless people.
To counter the council's move, the TAMC has lodged complaints with police over the encroachment, noting that the land plots are foreclosed assets that will soon be auctioned off in line with legal procedures.
However, the council's members show no sign of giving up. Member Oy Praphasai said she would by no means vacate the TAMC plot she was now occupying.
"If the government wants us to leave, it must allocate land plots to us as it has promised," the 50yearold woman from Si Sa Ket province said.
Oy joined the council late last year in the hope of acquiring farmland adequate to support her children.
"I own 1 rai of land in Buri Ram, but that's not adequate to support the whole family," she said.
She has four children. Her husband has long left the secular world and entered the monkhood.
"My eldest daughter has had to leave school so she can work odd jobs and find money to support the family as well," Oy lamented.