Officials have surveyed the controversial construction project for judicial officials on Doi Suthep foothill to determine the part to be returned to a park.
Treasury officials on Thursday surveyed the premises in Mae Rim district in Chiang Mai to create zoning for the residential area and the Administrative Office of Appeal Region 5.
Only state officials -- representatives from the natural resources and environment office, Royal Thai Army and judge office -- were allowed to witness the survey. Representatives of the networks against the project were not allowed to go inside. They observed the work outside the compound.
The survey followed the decision on Sunday by the government and campaigners to ban occupation of 45 houses and nine flats so the area could be later handed back to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. The judge office was allowed to keep its two office buildings and three condominiums.
The survey on Thursday aimed to set a clear boundary between the two sections.
Although the campaigners were not allowed to go inside, network coordinator Teerasak Roopsuwan said he was satisfied with the survey after talking to the land survey officials.
He expected the department to take the plot back from the judge office after the construction completes on June 18. The department will then return it to the park, which was the original owner.
Prime Minister's Office Minister Suraphan Tanyuvardhana said on Thursday the government is looking for a new place to build housing for the judges.
The government has promised to the Office of Court of Justice to find a new location for the judges in Chiang Mai.
Campaigners against the housing project for judges watch land survey officials work from the outside of the compound in Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai, on Thursday. (Video from @DoiSuthepMountain Facebook account)
