<p>Somphon Chimrueng has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a land rights defender in Surat Thani and sentenced to 13 years and 16 months of imprisonment. He has also been ordered to pay compensation to the victim.</p>

<div>This article investigates why the Khlong Sai Pattana community in Surat Thani Province has occupied a deforested protected area taken from a palm oil plantation corporation after its 30-year concession ended. Land rights activists discuss how the poor are unfairly discriminated against in their right to land to make a living, while capitalists keep reaping benefits from the land. </div>