Khon kaen: The Khon Kaen Provincial Land Office has lodged a formal complaint against Mrs. Buakhai, the executor of Mr. Hiang's estate, following her application for a replacement land title deed for Wat Pa Adulyaram. The complaint arose after it was discovered that the original deed was not lost, as claimed, but was actually in the possession of the temple's abbot.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pongsuwat Chaitontheuk, the Khon Kaen Province land officer, along with other officials, initiated the complaint with investigators to scrutinize the actions of Mrs. Buakhai. She had applied for a replacement for land title deed number 61945, covering over 21 rai, asserting that the original was missing. However, this claim was undermined when the abbot provided the original deed to land office officials. Consequently, the land office halted the replacement process and informed Mrs. Buakhai of her right to appeal within 15 days, but no appeal has been submitted to date.
The Land Department aims to determine if Mrs. Buakhai's report of the lost deed, which was later found, amounts to making a false statement to an official. The investigation will consider the evidence and facts, including the timeline where the original deed was copied on July 13, 2026, prior to the replacement application on July 27, 2026.
Mr. Pongsuwat emphasized that the land in question legally belongs to Wat Pa Adulyaram, as per a final judgment, despite Mr. Hiang's name still appearing on the title deed due to pending registration changes. The Land Office is working under Section 84 of the Land Code to ensure proper procedure is followed for the title deed's registration.
At Wat Pa Adulyaram, the situation has sparked interest among locals and visitors. Mr. Pattanapong Chanthep, a student from the region, commented on the increased public interest in the temple, noting that the news has encouraged more people, especially the youth, to explore the teachings of Dharma and learn about the temple's history.