Villagers face greater threat under new national parks law

New national parks will impose stricter penalties to further limit the rights of farmers and indigenous people, land rights activists and analysts said on Friday, after a series of convictions highlighted their vulnerability.

Under the National Parks Act, which was unveiled by the government last week and will come into effect in six months, those convicted of encroachment and other offences could face up to 20 years in prison and 2 million baht fines.

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