Railway authority maintains stance on land preservation at Khao Kradong, proposes lease agreements for current landholders
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has taken decisive action to enforce its legal ownership of over 5,000 rai of land at Khao Kradong in Buriram province, following the Interior Ministry's confirmation to revoke disputed land titles.
The SRT, led by Governor Veeris Ammarapala, is now preparing to negotiate with current occupants and land users about the future use of the land. According to the SRT, core disputed areas within the state railway boundaries can be reclaimed immediately, while peripheral areas require further verification.
The SRT's preferred solution is a formal land rental agreement, aiming to minimize public hardship while upholding its legal ownership of the land. If negotiations for relocation or a lease agreement fail, the SRT will proceed with legal action against the occupants.
The SRT's actions at Khao Kradong reflect broader government policy emphasizing legal compliance and providing practical alternatives for citizens affected by administrative corrections. The SRT's approach in the Khao Kradong case balances legal obligations with humanitarian considerations.
The Interior Ministry has issued a statement allowing for the revocation of conflicting title deeds at Khao Kradong, based on Supreme Court judgements that established the legal foundation for this action. The SRT will monitor the title deed revocation process periodically as the Land Department executes the court-ordered actions.
Meanwhile, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is conducting a deeper probe into potential illegalities connected to the land scandal, including allegations of misconduct, neglect of duty, or corruption involving politicians, Interior Ministry officials, and land officials related to the issuance of disputed titles. If wrongdoing is found, both individuals and corporate entities could face criminal charges.
The Khao Kradong case tests Thailand's land administration systems, involving multiple government agencies coordinating to resolve overlapping title claims. The SRT's actions at Khao Kradong demonstrate coordinated government action with the Interior Ministry providing legal clarity.
In a statement, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, named in complaints, has publicly defended the SRT’s ownership based on legal court rulings and urged all parties to respect the law and avoid politicizing the issue.
The SRT remains committed to upholding the rule of law, fairness, and justice in service of the nation and its people. The railway authority will engage in discussions with current occupants of Khao Kradong, offering them the option to relocate or enter into a formal land rental agreement. The SRT's approach at Khao Kradong aims to minimize public hardship while upholding its legal ownership of the land.
- Despite the ongoing dispute over the land at Khao Kradong, the SRT is planning discussions on the future use of the land with the current occupants, aiming to reach a formal land rental agreement as a solution that minimizes public hardship.
- The broad context of the government policy is evident, not only in the SRT's actions towards Khao Kradong but also in the Interior Ministry's decision to revoke disputed land titles, reflecting an emphasis on legal compliance and practical alternatives.
- The Khao Kradong case, being a test for Thailand's land administration systems, invites reflection on various other issues such as general news, politics, education-and-self-development, health, sports, casino-and-gambling, and weather, as they all play significant roles in shaping the nation and its people's quality of life.
