Struggle for Land

Land Issues

The struggle for land rights has been a central aspect of the community’s history. In 1985–1986 (B.E. 2528–2529), the Chiang Mai Municipality surveyed the area and asked for the demolition of the settlement, declaring it to be Royal Property under the Treasury Department. 

There have been efforts to remove communities along Chiang Mai’s old town boundaries, sometimes involving the burning of settlements to clear land for development.

Residents organized to resist eviction, growing from an initial 50 to 70 households, and officially registered with Chiang Mai Municipality as a small community on 30 September 1987 (B.E. 2530). 

The first chairman was Mr. Paw Peng Sommana. Around this time, the cooperative system was introduced under King Rama IX’s era, encouraging families to save collectively for housing. 

Although the land is state-owned and under the jurisdiction of various government agencies, including the Treasury Department and Chiang Mai Municipality, residents have been permitted to remain on the condition that they rent the land on an annual basis. The land does not come with legal ownership or title deeds, and it is designated for living purposes only; thus, residents cannot sell it.  The Treasury Department, under the Crown Property Bureau (CPB), is also a key player because it is the legal owner of much of the land and is responsible for setting rent policies.

The municipality also imposes restrictions, including prohibitions on wall destruction or encroachment. In earlier decades, Treasury Department officials conducted annual inspections of the community, though these visits have become less frequent. Since 1999–2000 (B.E. 2542–2543), building permits have been required for new constructions.

Another problem was the legal restrictions related to the old city wall. The moat and earthen dike in this area are considered part of the outer wall of the ancient city. According to regulations, people are not allowed to build or live within three meters of this wall. Many families, however, had already settled here long before they even knew such a law existed. Technically, that meant their homes were not recognized by the government, and the community lived under constant uncertainty.

Negotiation and Advocacy Effort

The rent depends on the size and location of the plot, with current rates of 2 baht per square meter. Historically, rents ranged from 8 to 12 baht. These changes resulted from collective advocacy efforts led by the Four Regions Slum Network and other supporting organizations, which have helped the community negotiate more favorable terms with state authorities. 

The community continues to advocate for a more secure, long-term lease of 30 years, although no agreement has yet been formalized. Parnngam Sommana has led these negotiation and advocacy efforts. 

The community is currently facing challenges related to canal construction and the renovation of surrounding areas. According to municipality orders, residents are required to move back three meters on each side of the canal. While this adjustment causes minimal impact, households located in the middle would normally have to relocate entirely. 

At present, no formal or written agreement has been made regarding development plans, and the outcomes are expected to become clear only in the next two years.

The community responded with three proposals to the government: 

• First, that most households remain in their current location; 

• Second, that a small number of homes adjust their placement along the canal as needed and negotiate for minimal impacts; and

• Third, that the government secure a renewable 30-year lease, 

This vision reflects the community’s determination to remain rooted in place while seeking fair and stable housing security.

Proposals for a 30-year lease remained unresolved, despite the community's participation in national and regional campaigns through UN-Habitat, the Four Regions Slum Network, and demonstrations at parliament. Political changes result in regulatory uncertainty and further delays in progress.

Funds, Cooperatives, and Land Purchases

Collective savings and cooperatives have been at the heart of the community’s resilience. Each household contributes 100 baht per month to savings funds, which provide welfare from birth to death. Over the years, the community has managed significant funds, including an initial 200,000 baht anti-poverty budget and the later introduction of the “Million-Baht Fund” under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, which was self-managed with interest-based repayments. These resources enabled the purchase of land for relocation options: 15 rai in San Sai for 5 million baht, about 30 years ago, and 16 rai in San Kamphaeng for 14 million baht, around 10 years ago. Both properties are held under cooperative ownership, ensuring secure housing for members if eviction becomes unavoidable. Today, the cooperative has accumulated savings of nearly 96 million baht and owns its land outside of the community.