Land Department commander under scrutiny as Phumtham requests clarification on Khao Kradong matter
In a significant development, Thailand's new Interior Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has sent an official letter to Pornpoj Penpas, director-general of the Land Department, demanding a written explanation for the department's failure to implement court rulings regarding land encroachment at Khao Kradong in Buri Ram province.
The Land Department, under the previous leadership of Anutin Charnvirakul as Interior Minister, has been accused of ignoring court rulings related to the Khao Kradong land dispute. The Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court had ruled three times that land deeds issued to individuals and companies in the area belonged to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and had been encroached upon. Despite these rulings, the Land Department did not revoke the deeds, instead setting up a separate committee to re-examine the matter, which controversially concluded the land did not belong to the SRT.
This action is seen as favoring certain parties, notably the Chidchob family, which is linked to the Bhumjaithai Party that Anutin leads. Reports suggest that the Chidchob family and affiliated businesses own around 288 rai across 12 plots in the disputed area at Khao Kradong.
Phumtham, who took over as interior minister on July 3, has promised to investigate the Alpine Golf Course land case, regardless of political affiliations. The Alpine Golf Course, owned by the Shinawatra family, is also located in the disputed area and has been ordered by the court to be returned to a temple, but it has not been done.
Phumtham has also announced that he will meet with his two deputies to discuss the division of responsibilities, including potentially assigning oversight of the Land Department to Dej-is Khaothong. If Pornpoj fails to provide a clear explanation within the seven-day timeframe, a disciplinary panel will be appointed to investigate his conduct.
Anutin, in response, has defended the actions taken during his tenure, asserting that all steps were lawful and necessary to comply with court orders. However, critics argue otherwise, and the dispute remains unresolved. Phumtham has stated that if the Land Department chief did nothing wrong, he can remain in his post, but if he is found to have made decisions favoring certain parties, his position will be affected.
In a bid to ensure fairness and transparency, Phumtham will consult with Ansit Samphantharat, the permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry, regarding the selection of members for the disciplinary panel. The unfolding events promise to bring clarity to the long-standing Khao Kradong land dispute and potentially restore the rights of the State Railway of Thailand over the encroached land.
The new Interior Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has promised to investigate the Alpine Golf Course land case, which involves the Shinawatra family and allegations of favoritism in the division of land between private entities and the State Railway of Thailand. He has also announced plans to meet with his deputies to discuss responsibilities and may assign oversight of the Land Department to Dej-is Khaothong.
Phumtham's actions come in response to allegations made against the previous Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, who led the department and the Bhumjaithai Party, and was accused of ignoring court rulings and favoring the Chidchob family in the Khao Kradong land dispute. Anutin has defended his actions, but critics argue otherwise and the dispute remains unresolved.
Phumtham's efforts to ensure fairness and transparency in the Khao Kradong land dispute may have significant implications for Thai politics and can potentially lead to policy and legislative changes in the realm of tourism, business, and general news, as the dispute has been closely followed by various sectors of society.
