The People’s Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) on Monday submitted a petition to the government, urging swift action to resolve long-standing land-use disputes and accelerate the communal land deed policy.
The demonstration, held to mark World Habitat Day, aimed to highlight the struggles of communities facing insecure land tenure and inadequate housing.
Led by Jamnong Nuphan, P-Move members marched through Bangkok, stopping at key government offices to submit petitions calling for urgent intervention.
At Government House, the group handed their petition to Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Zarum and Government Spokesman Siripong Angsakulkiat.
Mr Sophon later met the demonstrators, pledging to push for immediate measures even though the current administration has only four months left in its term.
“While a full legislative amendment may not be possible within four months, we will propose laws that provide immediate solutions,” Mr Sophon said.
“Addressing outdated regulations that fail to protect people’s welfare remains a key mission of this government.”
He added that the Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul administration is committed to addressing public concerns and that P-Move’s proposals would be considered in an upcoming cabinet meeting.
“The government recognises the hardships caused by land deed issues and will prioritise this matter,” he said.
Following their stop at Government House, P-Move representatives visited Bangkok City Hall to submit a similar petition to Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, urging city authorities to address land disputes affecting low-income urban residents.
Governor Chadchart, a supporter of community-based urban planning, was urged to create a more inclusive framework that ensures fair access to land and housing for the city’s vulnerable residents facing eviction threats and informal settlements.
The final stop was the United Nations Thailand Office, where the group held an exhibition on communal land deeds and a small marketplace featuring agricultural products.
P-Move also issued a statement, affirming the right to self-determination through community land titles,.
The network is pushing for community-led resource management and a Progressive Land Tax, a Land Bank, and Community Land Titles to protect communities from land loss and ensure equitable, identity-based land use.