Bangkok: “Krawee” sees the revocation of Khao Kradong as a political matter for sure. Krawee criticized Phumtham and Decha-Isara for their firm decision to revoke Khao Kradong, stating that nearly a month had passed and the process had not yet been carried out because they lacked the authority to issue orders. He insisted that even the new Director-General of the Land Department has no authority and viewed it as a matter of course political.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Krawee Prisananantakul, MP for Ang Thong and a member of the Bhumjaithai Party, and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Administration, announced the results of a meeting regarding the Khao Kradong land dispute in Buriram Province between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Department of Lands. The meeting invited the Ministry of Interior, the State Railway of Thailand, the Lands Department, and the Treasury Department to clarify the revocation of title deeds for the Khao Kradong area in Buriram Province. Questions were raised about the revocation of title deeds by the Minister of Interior on August 1, 2025. Nearly a month later, the deeds have not been revoked, leading to discussions on whether the Minister’s order lacked the authority to revoke the title deeds.
Mr. Krawee stated that all parties have confirmed that neither Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, nor Mr. Decha Isara Khaothong, Deputy Minister of the Interior, has any authority to revoke title deeds belonging to citizens. It was emphasized that the law does not grant such authority, and there is no legal loophole. This issue is seen as a political matter rather than a legal one.
Questions were also raised regarding the Land Department’s failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s order, which resulted in a legal loss for over 30 individuals against the State Railway of Thailand. The court ruled that the land belonged to the State Railway of Thailand, yet the Land Department did not revoke the title deeds for the remaining 5,000 rai as government land. It was clarified that the court’s order only applied to the individuals involved and not the entire area.
Mr. Krawee suggested that if there is a court ruling and a map supporting the State Railway of Thailand’s claim, lawsuits should be pursued plot by plot to reclaim the land. However, the State Railway of Thailand explained that individual land title cases would be time-consuming, costly, and burdensome to the public. They filed a lawsuit at the Administrative Court, requesting an order for the Land Department to revoke the title deeds in accordance with the judgment.
The Administrative Court accepted two issues: revoking the Director-General of the Land Department’s order to terminate the case under Section 61, and the revocation of the appeal order of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. The request to revoke title deeds for over 5,000 rai was not accepted, presenting an opportunity for both the Land Department and the State Railway of Thailand to prove their rights.
The State Railway of Thailand acknowledged that the map attached to the decree did not clearly indicate land ownership. The Land Department clarified that it was not involved in the Supreme Court case, which was a dispute between the public and the State Railway of Thailand. Therefore, the court only considered the evidence based on the State Railway of Thailand’s boundary documents.
The committee stressed to the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Lands, and the State Railway of Thailand that the matter should be considered legally, not politically. They urged fairness for people who obtained title deeds and land titles honestly. The Ministry of Interior stated that if the land truly belongs to the State Railway of Thailand, those with legal title deeds will be entitled to compensation.
Mr. Krawee emphasized the need for adherence to the law and clarity from the Administrative Court. The committee will continue to follow up on this matter. According to inquiries with the Land Department, the new Director-General of Lands has not yet received royal approval and will not have the authority to revoke title deeds upon assuming duties. Everything must proceed according to legal procedures.