Patterns of forest clearance, land acquisition, and forest use in national reserved forests in Thailand are related to patterns of migration and settlement. Migration patterns also influence social conflict and community cohesion. In particular, migration patterns have created inequitable acquisition of forest land, and this is the basis for present conflicts between different groups of migrants. Information learned from this study provides answers to important questions about forest use and land allocation in terms of the best implementation strategies for a social forestry project, and allows the author to make specific forest management recommendations.