DoL 'should respect court ruling'

Phumtham says SRT must get land back

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

Veteran Pheu Thai politician Phumtham Wechayachai is questioning the Department of Land's decision to suspend the revocation of title certificates in the long-running Khao Kradong land dispute, saying the department must respect the order to return the land to the state.

Ownership of the land in question is disputed, with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) saying the land had been granted to the agency by King Rama V. However, the land, which spans a total area of about 5,000 rai, were subdivided into smaller plots which are now occupied and/or claimed by private parties, including several figures linked to the Bhumjaithai Party.

In 2021, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled in favour of the SRT, ordering the DoL to revoke the deeds it had issued and return the land to the state.