State officials probed over Saraburi land encroachment allegations
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) embarked on an investigation to determine the involvement of state officials in alleged land encroachment activities in Saraburi. The primary focus is on the Phu Nub Dao Cafe & Farm, accused of constructing buildings illegally on a Sor Por Kor land reform area in Muak Lek district.
Witthaya Arkhompitak, the acting chairman of the NACC, announced the commission’s intention to scrutinise the involvement of any state officials in this alleged encroachment. The NACC aims to establish whether further inquiries are necessary within its jurisdiction.
Kritsakorn Sanitsakdee, who oversees the case as the director of the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Region 1, revealed that five business associates had occupied the Phu Nub Dao area between 2014 and 2015, where the cafe is situated.
The Royal Forest Department, in collaboration with the PACC, arrested these individuals, including the wife of a tambon administrative organisation (TAO) executive, in May.
They were subsequently sentenced by the Criminal Court, with four having their sentences suspended. However, the TAO executive’s wife was not spared and is currently serving a six-month jail term.
Despite their convictions, the four individuals have reapplied for the right to access the same land plot, said Kritsakorn.
“This court has declared the Phu Nub Dao area covering some 100 rai to be a community forest over which no Sor Por Kor land documents may be issued. However, certain Saraburi land reform officials at the time went ahead and released the land documents for the business people. It’s a blatant violation of the law.”
He further explained that even if Sor Por Kor land certificates were legally distributed, the business individuals would not qualify for them. The reform areas are meant for landless farmers to engage in agriculture, and such land cannot be sold or transferred.
The Agricultural Land Reform Office had initially designated the Phu Nub Dao area for the establishment of an Agricultural Innovation Learning Centre. Contrarily, a cafe was opened, with unauthorized structures erected on the site, reported Bangkok Post.
In defence, Phu Nub Dao Cafe & Farm claims to operate as a learning centre, providing knowledge on livestock to farmers.
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