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We investigated the landscape variables affecting the current dramatic expansion of oil palm plantations in Lam Thap district Krabi Province Thailand. THEOS satellite data was used to map land use classifications using the support vector machine method. Seven land use classes were consolidated into oil palm plantations and other rural uses. A logistic regression model was then applied to search for the relationship between two land use classes and the landscape variables of slope (three classes) and soil drainage (four classes). Overall, slope and drainage were statistically significant in explaining oil palm plantation expansion. Flat areas with poor drainage were the strongest factors. This contradicts the known optimal agronomic requirements for oil palms of well drainage. We suggest that what is observed is an unintended consequence of government oil palm support policies.

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