Buriram: The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education has confirmed that he did not encroach on land governed by the Agricultural Land Reform Act, asserting that he acquired it from a friend. He also stated that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had previously reviewed and closed the case.
According to Thai News Agency, the Permanent Secretary clarified the matter regarding the "Forest Lord Camp" in Buriram province, explaining that the land was purchased from a friend who was already occupying it. He emphasized there was no encroachment or seizure under the Agricultural Land Reform Act (ALRA) and described it as farmland without an official title deed, possessing only a land ownership document (?.?.?.5). He underlined that the property is a residence, not a resort, and noted that the NACC had already investigated and resolved the case.
Mr. Suthep Kaengsanthet, the Permanent Secretary, addressed the allegations about his land ownership in the "Than Chao Pa Camp" area, Non Din Daeng District. He stated the land is within the Pa Dong Yai Project, Zone (E), and was purchased from a friend who was already in possession. He clarified that the land is a small plot lacking a title deed, and he has not infringed upon ALRO land.
He further explained that the land does not have a title deed or ownership documents, but is verified by a land tax receipt (Form 5) as evidence of annual payment to the local government. Mr. Suthep reiterated that the structures are residential, not resort facilities, and contended that portraying the land as encroachment is misleading.
The case had earlier been reported to the NACC, which had conducted a review and closed the investigation. Meanwhile, the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) had initially found the land to be within a reform zone as per the Royal Decree of 1978, Dong Yai Forest Project, Zone (E), and noted that it had not been previously surveyed or allocated. ALRO continues to investigate the qualifications and connections of the latest applicant for land allocation.
Previously, local land tax was managed by local administrative organizations, but this was replaced by the Land and Building Tax Act B.E. 2562 (2019), which still requires local administrative organizations to oversee tax collection. Form P.B.T. 5 is used to confirm tax payments but does not serve as proof of ownership.