Buriram: The Land Department has reiterated its stance on the legal procedures followed in the contentious Khao Kradong and Alpine land cases. It insists that all actions taken were in strict adherence to the law, responding to concerns raised in a no-confidence debate concerning the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) resolution to revoke certain land title deeds in Buriram Province.

According to Thai News Agency, the Land Department issued a second clarification document addressing the 2011 issue of the NACC’s resolution to revoke land title deeds No. 3466 and 8564 in Tambon Isan, Amphoe Mueang Buriram. The department had established an investigation committee under Section 61 of the Land Code, which concluded that revoking the deeds was unwarranted due to the absence of a map from the State Railway of Thailand attached to the relevant Royal Decree on Land Purchase.

The Land Department consulted with the Office of the Attorney General, which supported the decision not to revoke the deeds, maintaining that the rights of the State Railway of Thailand to pursue legal action were not infringed upon. The Attorney General’s office found that the Director-General’s actions complied with legal criteria and did not contravene the NACC’s resolution. The department communicated its decision to the State Railway, which has since sued the Land Department and its Director-General at the Central Administrative Court in 2023, seeking the revocation of 995 land title deeds in the Khao Kradong area.

The Land Department’s investigation committee, under Section 61 of the Land Code, upheld the decision not to revoke the deeds in Khao Kradong. The State Railway of Thailand retains the option to take the matter to the Administrative Court. Questions arise as to why the State Railway, which claims ownership since 1921, allowed public occupation starting in 1954, with land title deeds issued from 1966. The State Railway itself confirmed the land was not under its jurisdiction.

In the Alpine land case, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, overseeing Internal Security Affairs, has agreed to withdraw the decision not to revoke the registration of an unlawful inheritance transfer. The Pathum Thani Provincial Land Office, Khlong Luang Branch, is currently gathering land title deeds from stakeholders to proceed with revocation notifications and legal transactions. Affected parties reserve the right to sue the Land Department for damages related to the revocation.

Both the Khao Kradong and Alpine cases are being handled by the Land Department within the framework of existing regulations and laws, ensuring alignment with governmental processes.