Land Department Ought to Comply with Court Decision
In a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled in favour of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) in 2021, ordering the Department of Land (DoL) to revoke the deeds and return the disputed land, approximately 5,000 rai in Khao Kradong, back to the state. However, the DoL's decision to suspend the revocation of title certificates is now being questioned by various parties.
The SRT, led by King Rama V's grant, claims ownership of the land. The opposition People's Party (PP) is monitoring the situation closely, but with the new cabinet yet to be sworn in, they cannot grill the government in parliament. The caretaker interior minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, is among those questioning the DoL's decision, stating that the land in question is state land and cannot be changed in status. Public opinion strongly supports the revocation of the titles, as stated by Mr. Phumtham.
The DoL, in response to the ruling, accepted the findings and closed the case. However, the SRT has since filed a fresh complaint against the DoL, and the department has until Oct 10 to submit its testimony. The DoL chief, Khajornkiat, defended the department's handling of the case, referring to a ruling by the Central Administrative Court in 2023, which ordered the DoL to set up a committee to review the deeds of the 995 land plots claimed by the SRT.
The disputed area involves not only state authorities but also private landowners, including figures linked to the Bhumjaithai Party. Smaller parcels emerging from this area are owned by various local farmers, businesses, and government entities. The caretaker minister alleged political interference, claiming senior officials in the Department of Special Investigation, the Interior Ministry, and the Transport Ministry had been approached by unknown individuals over the phone over the land dispute.
The Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, rejected accusations of interference, insisting he isn't involved in the case. The caretaker minister's claims, however, have added a new layer of complexity to the already contentious issue. The SRT's fight for their land rights continues, with the future of the disputed area hanging in the balance. The upcoming court proceedings will undoubtedly shed more light on this ongoing saga.
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