On December 20, at Khao Kradong, Buriram Province, Mr. Pornpoj Penpas, Director-General of the Department of Lands, addressed the ongoing land ownership dispute involving the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Following an on-site investigation, Mr. Pornpoj confirmed that the Department of Lands had already issued a formal notice to the SRT and is awaiting responses to appeals as per legal procedures under the Ministry of Interior.
When asked whether the Department would countersue the SRT, Mr. Pornpoj stated that it would not, emphasizing that both agencies are adhering to their respective legal interpretations and should avoid unnecessary conflict. He further reassured that all actions taken by the Department of Lands follow the Central Administrative Court’s orders and that the findings from a committee established under Section 61 of the Land Code have been submitted to the court.
Regarding public support for the Department’s actions, including offers from local residents to act as co-defendants, Mr. Pornpoj expressed gratitude but reiterated that the Department strictly follows judicial orders. The decision on the dispute now rests with the Central Administrative Court, and the Department is prepared to proceed regardless of the outcome.
Mr. Pornpoj underscored the importance of clarity and adherence to the law, particularly under Section 61, which governs the revocation of land rights. He stressed that any revocation must be unequivocally justified to avoid unnecessary harm to affected parties. Drawing a comparison to the Alpine Golf Course case, he explained that while some cases involve invalid legal actions, they differ fundamentally from disputes concerning the revocation of land titles.
“This is a matter of ensuring absolute legal precision. Even a small deviation could cause significant public distress, so decisions must be 100% clear,” he stated.