OVERVIEW: The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is a landlocked country situated in Southeast Asia, bordering Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Myanmar. Despite a recent increase in the rate of urbanization and a relatively small amount of arable land per capita, most people in Lao PDR live in rural areas and work in an agriculture sector dominated by subsistence farming. Lao PDR’s economy relies heavily on its natural resources, with over half the country’s wealth produced by agricultural land, forests, water and hydropower and mineral resources.

OVERVIEW: Thailand is facing the challenges of a transition from lower- to upper-middle-income status. After decades of very rapid growth followed by more modest 5–6% growth after the Asian financial crisis of 1997–98, Thailand achieved a per capita GNI of US $3670 by 2008, reduced its poverty rate to less than 10% and greatly extended coverage of social services. Infant mortality has been cut to only 13 per 1000, and 98% of the population has access to clean water and sanitation.

In a widely read paper, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, World Bank and others propose systematic property rights formalization as a key step in addressing the problems of irresponsible agricultural investment. This paper examines the case of Cambodia, one of a number of countries where systematic land titling and large-scale land concessions have proceeded in parallel in recent years.

This LEGEND bulletin takes stock of some of the recent experience in legal empowerment. The result is a kaleidoscope of approaches operating at different levels, but pursuing broadly converging agendas.

Reclassifying 7,359 hectares as state private land in Sro Yaong commune of Kulen district in Preah Vihear province for rubber plantation investment.

Reclassifying 739 hectares as state private land in Raksmey Samky commune of Oaral district in Kampong Speu province for Trees plantation investment.

Cutting 321.1255 hectares of land in Techo Chrey Bak village, Techo Akphivath commune, Chouk district of Kampot province: 78.7187 hectares cutting from 2002 Forest Cover, and (2) 242.4068 hectares cutting from Economic Land Concession of First Bio-Tech Agricultural (Cambodia) Co., Ltd, and reclassying 272.7255 hectares as state private land for granting donation to 121 families, and reserving 48.4 hectares as state public land.

Cutting 212.5183 hectares of land in Chouk district of Kampot province: (1) 105.3696 hectares from Economic Land Concession of Virtus Green Plantations (Cambodia) Pte, Ltd; and (2) 107.1487 hectares from Economic Land Concession of First Bio-Tech Agricultural (Cambodia) Co., Ltd, and reclassying 197.6002 hectares as state private land for granting donation to 115 families who have actual occupation and cultivation, and reserving 14.9181 hectares as state public land.

Cutting 1,014.5131 hectares of land in Chouk district of Kampot province from Economic Land Concession of First Biotech, and reclassifying 903.1266 hectares as state private land for granting ownership donation to 366 families who have actual land occupation and cultivation, and reserving 111.3865 hectares as state public land.

Reclassifying 7,472 hectares as state private land in Kulen-Prumtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Siem Reap province for agro-industry investment under lease or concession condition.

Determining 7,472 hectares as sustainable use zones in Kulen-Prumtep Wildlife Sanctuary in Siem Reap province, and granting the land for rubber plantation investment to Excel Castor Plantation Co., Ltd.

Determining 8,687 hectares as sustainable use zones in Beoung Per Wildlife Sanctuary in Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap provinces; and 4,700 hectares as sustainable use zones in Oaral Wildlife Sanctuary in Kampong Speu province, and granting the land rubber plantation investment to 4 companies (5,095 hectares in Beoung Per to Bean Heak Investment Co., Ltd; 1,946 hectares in Beoung Per to CRCK 2 Aphivath Caoutchouc Co., Ltd; 1,646 hectares in Beoung Per to Rethy Kranite (Cambodia) Co., Ltd; and 4,700 hectares in Oaral to Kampong Speu Sugar Co., Ltd).