The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) released a statement on December 23 addressing public misunderstandings regarding its ongoing efforts to reclaim land at Khao Kradong, Buriram province. The SRT emphasized that the disputed 5,000-rai property is state land under its jurisdiction, confirmed through court rulings and legal processes.
Key Points from SRT's Statement:
- Legal Ownership Confirmed:
- Court decisions, including those by the Supreme Administrative Court, have affirmed the SRT’s ownership of the land located in Isan and Samet subdistricts.
- The Central Administrative Court further ruled that the Department of Lands must revoke improperly issued land titles without requiring additional lawsuits for each plot.
- Proper Documentation Submitted:
- The SRT clarified that it provided the same set of documents used in court to the Department of Lands for investigation, disproving claims of incomplete submissions.
- Responsibility of the Department of Lands:
- The SRT stated that the issuance of overlapping or unlawful land titles falls under the Department of Lands, overseen by the Ministry of Interior. It is the department’s duty to rectify these errors in compliance with the law.
- Commitment to Legal Compliance:
- The SRT reaffirmed its intention to reclaim the land strictly within legal frameworks and retain it as public property for the benefit of all citizens.
- Call for Non-Politicization:
- The SRT cautioned against using the Khao Kradong land issue as a political tool, warning that such actions could complicate efforts to resolve the matter.
The SRT concluded by urging cooperation from the Department of Lands to expedite the resolution process and ensure the land’s rightful restoration as state property.