State Railway's claim over Khao Kradong land affirmed by Phumtham; immediate cancellation of land titles ordered
The Khao Kradong land dispute in Buriram Province, Thailand, is nearing its final resolution. The government is actively moving to reclaim the land, following Supreme Court rulings that all 800 hectares belong to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
The journey to this point began when King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) granted the Khao Kradong land to the SRT for railway construction. This grant was later confirmed by a royal decree during the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).
However, the issue of unclear boundaries and land titles arose over the years. This was addressed when the Department of Lands completed the boundary verification of the Khao Kradong land, enabling the immediate revocation of the land titles.
The SRT had previously asked the Department of Lands to revoke the titles, but no action was taken, prompting the SRT to file a lawsuit. The land dispute was investigated by the Ministry's land dispute committee, which reaffirmed the Supreme Court's ruling and the Administrative Court's decision that the land belongs to the SRT.
The committee concluded that the Department of Lands and its Director-General are required to comply with the Supreme Court's ruling by revoking the illegal land titles for state-owned land. This includes about 900 land titles, with 20 deeds covering 288 rai connected to influential political figures, notably the Chidchob family.
The government plans to appoint a new Director-General of the Department of Lands, who will promptly revoke the remaining land titles under the 1973 Land Department Regulation. This process is expected to proceed swiftly, with a major press conference and enforcement steps anticipated imminently after the appointment of the new official.
The dispute has been politically sensitive, involving the Bhumjaithai Party and Pheu Thai Party rivalries, as the contested land includes luxury developments and sports complexes linked to powerful local politicians.
The SRT is using a strategy similar to the 'Phang Nga Thanun model' to assert ownership over the Khao Kradong land. The SRT has already purchased the land from 18 families living in the area, ensuring the land is fully owned by the state.
Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has confirmed that the Khao Kradong land is legally owned by the SRT. He has demanded an explanation from the Land Department chief over the Khao Kradong case. The Director-General of the Department of Lands has requested to step down from their position to avoid any conflicts of interest in the decision-making process.
The revocation of titles is being done under Section 61 (8) of the Land Code, which allows the government to revoke titles for state-owned land that should not be granted to private individuals.
With these steps, the Khao Kradong land dispute, a significant issue in Buriram Province, has been resolved, marking the final resolution of the case.
- The Khao Kradong land dispute, rooted in politics and policy-and-legislation, has finally approached its end with the government enforcing Supreme Court rulings that designate the land as state-owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
- The dispute, a matter of economics and general news, has been politically contentious, involving rivalries between the Bhumjaithai Party and Pheu Thai Party, with the contested land housing luxury developments and sports complexes linked to influential local politicians.
- In an effort to assert complete ownership over the Khao Kradong land, the SRT has employed a strategy similar to the 'Phang Nga Thanun model', purchasing land from families living in the area and ensuring the land is fully owned by the state, thereby resolving the longstanding land dispute.
