The Department of Lands (DoL) has compiled all court filings related to the Khao Kradong land dispute in Buri Ram province, but the Supreme Court never ruled that the land belonged to the State Railway of Thailand as the SRT lacked ownership rights, said Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri.
While delivering the new government’s policy statement in parliament yesterday, Mr Songsak stated that three court cases related to the land have concluded, with the DoL having revoked all land title deed applications connected to the land.
These applications were ruled unlawful as there were already residents who held valid title deeds living there, he said.
However, Mr Songsak said that the Supreme Court never ruled that the ownership of the land be transferred to the SRT, adding that the SRT was correct in opposing the issuance of ownership rights.
Regarding measures to revoke title deeds under Section 61 of the Land Code, he noted that such revocations must follow due legal processes, including investigations by officially appointed committees.
According to Mr Songsak, the SRT was asked to define its boundaries clearly, but its failure to do so rendered the revocations impossible.
He also revealed that the previous administration had formed an invalid committee to revoke title deeds for 995 plots of land in Khao Kradong.
However, Mr Songsak said that the committee has not done so despite reminders from him and the then-interior minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, who is now back at the ministry and the prime minister.
Responding to criticism from Prachachat Party MP Tawee Sodsong, who accused the government of trying to undermine the court’s authority, Mr Songsak reiterated that all actions were based strictly on court orders.
Pol Col Tawee claimed that the land had been ruled state property and criticised the government for failing to act decisively, alleging high-level interference and irregular transfers of key officials.
The debate in parliament escalated as Pol Col Tawee connected the issue to Mr Anutin, noting the prime minister’s ties to Buri Ram and implying conflicts of interest. This sparked a flurry of protests from MPs, especially from the Bhumjaithai Party, who argued that Pol Col Tawee’s comments were off-topic.
Pol Col Tawee also criticised the government’s overall direction, calling its policies unrealistic and lacking budgetary support.
He warned against corruption, misuse of legal authority and political interference, stressing the importance of transparency and rule of law.