PUBLISHED: 7 Feb 2025 at 06: 10
The National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) reported that progress was being made steadily in its investigation into the dispute involving the Department of Lands ( DoL ) and the State Railway of Thailand ( SRT), but it was too soon to say when the investigation would be finished.
According to Mongkol Srisawang, the chairman of examinations for surroundings- and healthy resource-related situations at the NACC, researchers are also reviewing the evidence submitted by the parties in dispute.
These include most new proof of ownership, historical records pertaining to the plots ‘ rights, and other important assertions from testimony, he said.
Mr. Mongkol claimed that the NACC had discovered a number of irregularities in the documents produced by the SRT and DoL, and that it is now investigating whether these anomalies were the result of intentional manipulation by government officials involved in the debate.
” If the abnormalities were the result of purposeful activity, these officers could be accused of dereliction of duty, which is a legal offence,” he said.
The debate involves 900 area title activities, 12 of which are allegedly the property of the Chidchob home.
Its father, Newin Chidchob, is believed to be the de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, which is now headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The SRT claimed the narratives, which are located in Khao Kradong and cover an area of about 5, 083 ray, belong to the company. The Supreme Court, which ruled that the land belonged to the railroad company, supports its claim.
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the minister of transportation, insists that the DoL may revoke the headings and give the plots to the SRT. Failing to do so could expose SRT employees to allegations of dereliction of duty, he noted.
But, the DoL, which is under the Interior Ministry, is refusing to do so, with Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri claiming the SRT was bad.
He also claimed that more than 400 villagers in two sub-districts, Isan and Samet, of Muang region of this northern state, have land subject deeds to show their ownership rights.
Mr Anutin, nevertheless, asked all factors involved in the debate to wait for the Supreme Administrative Court’s ruling on the matter.