Villagers in Khon Kaen have demanded fairness after alleging a police officer and a lawyer blocked a long-used community access road.
Residents of Ban Hua Dong village in Nam Phong district gathered on Friday to appeal for intervention after a section of road in public use for more than 30 years was obstructed with concrete posts, barbed wire and warning signs declaring it was private land. Locals said the route has long been used to transport agricultural produce and access public services, including a local health facility, but is now inaccessible.
Praphatsorn Yaikaew, 52, said the closure has caused hardship. “We have used this road for decades. Suddenly, it was fenced off with no access. It affects daily life, farming and even medical visits,” she said. “We only ask for temporary access while the legal process continues.”
Resident Kimthai Yaikaew, 73, said the path dates back generations and was historically linked to irrigation works dating to 1978, when villagers cooperated with officials to develop water channels for farming.
“This road has existed since I was young. No one ever had problems before. Now villagers cannot even get to the hospital,” he said. “We are not against legal rights, but the road must be opened first.”
Nam Phong district officials, including the deputy district chief and assistant district clerks, together with local administration, irrigation staff, and village leaders, visited the area to inspect the site. They said the dispute concerns a boundary area now claimed as private land.
Deputy District Chief, Prasarn Busarakham, said initial findings suggest the land is under private ownership.
“The landowner insists the area is his legal property and refuses to remove the barrier, suggesting the matter should be decided by the court,” he said.
He added authorities will convene both parties on Monday in an attempt to solve the dispute, warning legal measures may follow if no agreement is reached.
“In the event of a blocked road used daily by locals, the district chief officer can remove obstructions and clear access routes, as part of our duty to protect and safeguard the public, without causing any loss of property rights,” he said.