Former Thai survey director arrested for illegal land deeds to resort

Police apprehended the former director of the Land Survey Centre in Nakhon Ratchasima, accused of illegitimately issuing land title deeds to benefit investors, just two months before the statute of limitations regarding his case was set to expire.

At 7am today, July 4, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Phumvisal Kasemsuk, along with officers from the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) directed a team of officers to execute a court warrant for the arrest of Arun, who is wanted under Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Case under Section 157 of the Penal Code.

The accused, a former director of the Land Survey Centre in Nakhon Ratchasima, is implicated in the illegal issuance of land title deeds for public land to a group of investors and business operators. The area of concern is a prime resort location covering 2,000 rai (approximately 790 acres) in Khao Yai, Pak Chong district, a valuable tourist area worth hundreds of millions of baht.

Additional land in various economic zones across several districts in Nakhon Ratchasima province was also involved, resulting in damage to thousands of rai of land.

After evading capture for an extended period, Arun was finally apprehended at his residence with only two months remaining before the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Investigations revealed that Arun had a pivotal role in facilitating the issuance of these land title deeds, which should have been protected as public land. The illegal activities catered to the interests of influential investors, undermining the integrity of land management in the province.

The operation to arrest Arun was meticulously planned, involving collaboration between various agencies to ensure the successful execution of the warrant just in the nick of time.

In separate news, Bangkok police dismissed five senior officers from Bang Yi Khan Police Station after an illegal gambling den was discovered near a prominent shopping mall in Pin Klao. This action follows an incident yesterday where police, along with Ministry of Interior officials, arrested individuals involved in illegal gambling.