Bangkok: Thirachai Pantumas, a Member of Parliament from the Prachachon Party, has launched a serious allegation against Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, accusing her of owning a luxury hotel in Khao Yai under dubious circumstances. The hotel, according to Thirachai, overlaps a self-sufficient estate and is situated on land that legally cannot be issued a title deed.
According to Thai News Agency, Thirachai charged that the Prime Minister took advantage of her position and failed to abide by legal standards, putting personal and family interests above those of the public. He highlighted that Ms. Paethongtarn has a major stake in Thames Valley Khao Yai Hotel Co., Ltd., and has been associated with the company since 2013, prior to her resignation to assume her current role.
Thirachai stated that the Thames Valley Khao Yai Hotel is located on land from the Lam Ta Khong Self-Help Settlement. This land was originally allocated for residential and agricultural use following the construction of the Lam Ta Khong Dam in 1970. He argued that the land title deeds have been improperly issued since the property resides in the upper reaches of a stream-a region where issuing deeds is prohibited by law.
In a detailed comparison, Thirachai referenced the Rancho Charnvee Hotel, owned by a family related to Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, suggesting that both properties might face similar legal issues. However, he emphasized that the Thames Valley Hotel could be in greater violation due to the location and type of business conducted on the property.
Thirachai further asserted that political influence played a role in the issuance of the title deeds, citing that during the periods when these actions occurred, individuals with the surname Shinawatra held significant political positions. He concluded that the Prime Minister had engaged in illegal activities by operating the hotel without obtaining the necessary permissions from the relevant authorities, an action supported by a recent indictment by the National Anti-Corruption Commission against officials involved in similar cases.
Finally, Thirachai pointed out that the investigation into the Rancho Charnvee golf course might not be coincidental, given Mr. Anutin's prominent political roles. He suggested that the Prime Minister's family's land issues in Khao Yai are potentially more severe, as they involve not just land overlap but also unauthorized business operations.