Photo Credit: Chanat Katanyu
Si Sa Ket: Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed a new investigation into the Khao Kradong land dispute in Buri Ram, insisting that all actions taken during his time as interior minister were lawful.
He responded to questions about Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s request for the Department of Lands (DoL) to explain its failure to comply with court rulings in the case. The land, claimed by both the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and private individuals linked to Bhumjaithai, was ruled on by the Supreme Court in 2021, which favored the SRT and ordered the DoL to revoke unlawful deeds—yet about 900 deeds, including 20 covering 288 rai linked to the Chidchob family, remain unrepealed.
Anutin stated that senior officials, including the department’s chief and the permanent secretary-general, confirmed that all actions were lawful and proper investigations, including one into Alpine land, were conducted without political interference.
He defended his record, asserting that he followed the law during his tenure and did not use political influence to sway civil servants. The Alpine case involves the sale of 924 rai of land in Pathum Thani in 2002, linked to Thaksin Shinawatra and his daughter, which was subject to legal actions in January that revoked the Shinawtras’ ownership.
Anutin also dismissed speculation that the renewed scrutiny was politically motivated, asserting that everyone has the right to raise concerns. Meanwhile, Phumtham said he would form a fact-finding committee if the DoL’s explanations are insufficient, but without setting a deadline to ensure a fair inquiry.
