Krabi land officer arrested for fraudulent land titles in forest area

The anti-corruption commission apprehended a Krabi land officer for the fraudulent issuance of 33 land titles within a permanent forest area, knowingly violating the law. This action was directed by Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and Suchart Kluykitanon, Assistant Secretary-General of the NACC Region 8.

The arrest of Thawatchai Thabtimthong was made under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases of Region 8. Thawatchai was accused of using his official position for personal gain and causing damage to the state, in violation of Sections 151 and 157 of the Criminal Code.

While serving as a specialised land officer in the Mueang district, Krabi province, Thawatchai had the authority to investigate land rights under a land survey project in 2005. His duties included verifying land boundaries, investigating land history, and confirming the legal ownership and usage of land.

He was also responsible for cross-checking existing land documents and coordinating with survey officials to create accurate maps and survey reports, in accordance with the Department of Lands’ regulations on land surveys and boundary investigations from 2000.

Despite being fully aware that 33 land titles were within a permanent forest area, which is prohibited under Section 58 of the Land Code, Thawatchai falsely reported that these lands met the criteria for issuing land titles. This action was also against Ministerial Regulation No. 43 (1994) issued under the Land Code Act of 1954. Thawatchai intentionally omitted critical facts that barred the issuance of these land titles and submitted fraudulent reports to his superiors, resulting in the illegal issuance of 33 land titles.

Thawatchai’s actions were deliberate, aiming to cause damage to state land and unlawfully transfer state land to other individuals. Investigations revealed that Thawatchai resided in Sam subdistrict, Chulabhorn district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, reported KhaoSod.

He was tracked down and apprehended following legal procedures and subsequently handed over to the prosecutors at the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Region 8 for further prosecution at the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases of Region 8.

“Thawatchai knowingly violated the law by issuing these land titles, which were within a permanent forest area. His actions were aimed at causing damage to state land and benefitting others illegally.”