Father accused of stealing palm fruit by own son amid land dispute

A father, deeply hurt, finds himself accused by his son of stealing palm fruit that he had planted and nurtured himself. This dramatic family dispute has unfolded over land that has been in the father’s possession for nearly 40 years.

Somjet, a 73 year old man, and Adul, a 46 year old man, were accused by Somjet’s third son of stealing palm fruit in a police report. The land in question is located behind Khao Sam Lan in Village 4, Song Phi Nong Subdistrict, approximately 2 to 3 kilometres from Somjet’s home.

Somjet recounted the history of the land, stating that he had claimed it over 30 years ago, even before his third son was born. The land comprises five rai and three rai plots under the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) and about 35 rai of forest restored post-Typhoon Gay.

Initially, the land was shared with his uncle Wandee, who passed away in 2015. Somjet then filed to manage Wandee’s estate, and in 2016, the Chumphon Provincial Court granted him this right without any appeals. Official documents were issued on March 20, 2023.

Wandee’s niece, 26 year old Wannisa, was allocated three rai of the ALRO land by Somjet. She built a house there but moved away due to disputes with Somjet’s third son, who was also embroiled in a legal battle over adjoining land.

Earlier last year, Wannisa had reported an incident to the Salui Police Station in Tha Sae District, Chumphon Province, claiming that a tractor had damaged the area in front of her house, which she believed was done by Somjet’s third son.

Land dispute

The conflict between Somjet and his third son began about two years ago. On June 29, 2023, Somjet and his second son Adul were harvesting palm fruit as usual when they learnt that the third son had filed a theft complaint against them at Salui Police Station. On September 9, 2023, investigators summoned Somjet and Adul to hear charges of joint theft of agricultural property using a vehicle for convenience. They were released without detention.

On January 4, 2024, the third son once again involved the police, resulting in the seizure of eight bunches of palm fruit weighing approximately 180 kilogrammes, valued at 1,053 baht (US$30). Additionally, an Isuzu D-Max pickup truck with the license plate บธ 4789 Chumphon, a palm-cutting tool with an aluminium handle, and a palm-digging tool were confiscated. Adul faced further charges of drug use for amphetamines, along with theft.

Somjet expressed his sorrow over the situation.

“The police did not believe my legal documents proving land ownership and the court’s decision appointing me as the estate manager.”

He questioned the third son’s authority in the matter, as the police cited the National Land Policy Committee’s power, which Somjet did not comprehend. He emphasised that he had been farming the 35 rai for decades without issue from his other three children, reported KhaoSod.

“I spent two nights in custody and felt heartbroken that my son would accuse me. I have denied all charges and secured bail. I wish my son would understand right from wrong. He never planted a single palm tree but expected to harvest them all. I gave him 100 palm trees in the upper zone, which should have been enough.”

“If my son can see reason, I am always willing to reconcile. Parents will divide the land fairly because we acquired and worked on it long before starting a family.”

The father’s words reveal a deep sense of betrayal, yet a lingering hope for familial reconciliation.