Bangkok: Lawyer Ananchai Chaiyadej has taken a bold step by storming the Crime Suppression Division, accusing a well-known temple in Loei province of encroaching on over 700 rai of protected forest and land designated under the Agricultural Land Reform Act.
According to Thai News Agency, Ananchai, who serves as the President of the Dhamma Army Lawyers Foundation, submitted a detailed letter to Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Panngaeo, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau. The letter calls for a thorough investigation into allegations involving the temple's encroachment on state land, violations of Supreme Court rulings, and the conduct of government officials associated with the temple. The allegations also include concerns about the residence of foreign nationals within the temple's premises, which are situated on a significant portion of protected land.
The issue first gained prominence following a Thai Rath newspaper headline in March 2002. The report described how monks and villagers, fearing a doomsday scenario, fled to the mountains and began constructing homes near the controversial temple. This prompted the Forest Resources Management Office Region 6 to investigate, revealing that the temple only legally owned 45 rai of land. However, it had encroached on an additional 754 rai within the Phu Kho-Phu Kratae National Forest Reserve.
The investigation further uncovered that the temple and its associates were found guilty by the Loei Provincial Court of encroaching on the national forest reserve. The temple faced a 60,000 baht fine, while other defendants, including the abbot, received suspended sentences. Despite a final Supreme Court ruling in 2017, enforcement of the decision has faced significant challenges.
Recent developments include the issuance of land use permits by the Agricultural Land Reform Office to individuals in the disputed area, an action that contradicts the Supreme Court's ruling and raises serious legal concerns. The Loei Provincial Agricultural Land Reform Office later revoked these permits, but the matter remains unresolved.
The case is complex, involving multiple laws and agencies, including forestry and immigration laws. The Dhamma Army Lawyers Foundation has urged rigorous investigation and legal action against any government officials or individuals found complicit in the violations. The foundation seeks to uphold the rule of law and safeguard national resources, emphasizing the need for transparent and fair legal proceedings.
Lawyer Ananchai has also submitted complaints to the Director-General of the Department of Forestry and the Director of the National Office of Buddhism, calling for swift and decisive action to address the encroachment and associated legal violations.