JAG

6 hours ago, scorecard said:

To be honest I would be a little concerned that the 'coffee plants' lady might try it again.

 

So, just wondering if there is a process to get something like a court interpretation order or a document from the local land titles officer chief which would even confirm or 'enhance' your ownership proof.

 

Yes, the 'coffee plants' lady, or to be more accurate, her husband (whom I have now met and who turns out to be a Dutchman) has announced that he will be presenting his claim to the land, to the Land Office, in May. This notwithstanding me showing him a copy of the bill of sale, for two rai, signed by the vendor. He says that he believes the vendors claim that she only sold one rai.

To put this into some perspective, here is the sequence of events:

In September 2003 (2545) my wife purchased two rai of land (part of a plot of just under 4 rai) for B85000. We made several attempts to obtain a chanot, but the vendor proved to be most uncooperative, I suspect because she was liable for a charge (and possibly tax) for the sale of the land, and the production of a chanot. After several attempts to obtain a chanot the Wiang Chai Land Office told my wife that she would have to wait 15 years. I was not a party to this, I was back in the UK.

The next year (2546) we built a house on this land, and started to cultivate the rest. We have lived and been in possession of these two rai for sixteen years now. At no point has the vendor challenged the fact that we had taken possession of two rai, and were building on and using it. This despite the fact that she lives about 600 metres away and must see our land on a regular basis.

The 'coffee plants' lady, or to be more accurate, her husband, is now demanding that we surrender one rai of this land to him. I have shown him the bill of sale, for two rai, signed by the vendor and which is deposited with the Land Office. He dismisses it, tells me that “a number of people” have told him that we only bought one rai. He has told me that he intends to take his claim to the Land Office in May. He says that he may take it to the Amphur Land Office (Wiang Chai) or he may go to the provincial office in Chiang Rai. He won't say which. He says he has dealings with them (Chiang Rai) over some farmland he has purchased. He says he “has documents” (he will not be more specific but I suspect that he has obtained the original chanot). He has effectively accused us of stealing the land (or one rai of it). Yet the vendor has never, until now, approached us, or reported any alleged theft to the police! This week, she (the vendor) turned up, with the 'coffee plants' lady, and made a great scene about how the terrible falang had stolen her land - sixteen years after it is alleged to have happened! When my wife asked her why she had not gone to the police sixteen years ago she started to shriek abuse at her.

It does appear that the 'coffee plants' lady has “been sold” the entire plot, and she (and one must presume her husband) bought it more or less unseen. I have heard the figure of B400,000 mentioned. The most cursory inspection would have revealed that there was a long established (15 years) house on the land, along with now mature trees.

He (the husband) has said that once the entire plot is registered in his wife's' name he will allow us to stay in our house, on one rai of land. He does however also say that he will take over our well, which is the primary water supply to the house! Frankly, I don't believe him, nor do I believe the cover story that he wants the land to grow coffee! His wife (and he when he is here) live in an old house, hard up against a busy main road, on the crest of a hill, where heavy lorries are changing gear and producing fumes day and night. Our house and land, however, is on a quiet gentle south-facing slope, with a very pleasant view over fields towards the mountains in front of Phaya Mengrai. It is probably the best situation in the village, and I am pretty sure that he wishes to build his own house on it. That is rather backed up by gossip around the village – he is “very rich” and looking to build a big new house! Interestingly, he also let slip that he intends to close off the soi which runs along the front of our land, and which is used by the local farmers to access their fields! This itself confirms my suspicion that he wants to build.

I am seeing a lawyer this week, and yes, if necessary and possible, will be trying to get some sort of court protection. The whole business has dreadfully upset my wife and daughter – they fear losing the family home. I am not quite so worried, although I must confess my expectations are based on the UK, where this fellow's claims would be laughed out of court. Of course, this may not be the case here.

Wish me luck!

1 hour ago, holy cow cm said:

You mean different officers raring the tanks and then Big P comes back to save the day?

No, I mean replacing Big P. 

Then the "coup clock" will be rest to zero.

5 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Who's driving this guy....'cos it ain"t Prayut

3 hours ago, baboon said:

Aren't they from rival army factions?

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

Possible he's driving himself.

 

Refer back to his now deceased father's nasty and violent reputation, yearn for power and his arrogant attitude. In the coup of 2001, 200 young unarmed civilians shot down without hesitation by terrified troops under the command of gen. sunthorn (this guys father), gen suchinda, another nasty character, and gen narong, another nasty gen who immediately after the coup occupied all his time on getting a Thai out of service train steam engine and carriages moved to his farm because he liked trains. I like that train, move it to my farm, now!

 

Immediately after the incident of 200 young unarmed men shot down and killed, their bodies were whisked away on trucks and have never been found. No fully conclusive investigation ever completed, because nobody game enough to conduct/complete an investigation.

 

Seems to me guy has already displayed his arrogance and very possibly sees because of his father that he is untouchable and entitled. And sees that Thai folks should just do as they are told. 

There are two rival factions - both equally unconcerned with whatever the people may want, and neither in the slightest bit interested in the democratic process.

The faction in power at present owes its allegiance to a very old man. This faction's leader wishes to succeed this old man in his extremely influential position. On the face of it he is impeccably qualified to so do, however...

The second faction is growing ever more powerful. It owes its allegiance to a younger man - a "new kid" on this particular block. Their star is rising, and it may be too late for the present team leader to realise his ambition. The new faction, as Scorecard points out, is even more ruthless than the present team. The Thais know this, that is why they (political players and the ordinary people) are steering well clear.

Redeployments within the Bangkok Army Garrison (the only part of the army which really matters) may be worth considering.

So, when is the coup?

We've had the "I'm a simple soldier who doesn't understand" bit.

Next he will deny that he is going to stage a coup.

Then he will, reluctantly, take over - for the good of the people of course!

When do you reckon? April?

2 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

Perhaps they realized that the woman may not be mentally competent.

It strikes me that she seems quite mentally competent. At aged 18, she has decided to make an audacious escape from a country which imposes restrictions on women which would have been regarded as draconian in the dark ages. She managed to do so - which arguably requires considerable mental competence. Australia was probably chosen by her because it was somewhere she thought she could get to. amd apparemtly she had some contacts there. However she was held (for whatever reason - we will probably never know why) at Bangkok; she was lucky that the UNHCR reached her before her father and brother did. She was lucky that Canada offered her refuge.

2 hours ago, howbri said:

Build the <deleted>' wall Donald. BUILD THE WALL and stop the invasions. Who cares what the marxists say!

It really is extraordinary to think that this chap (howbri) considers that I (and a very great number who think like me) are "Marxists"!

It would be fascinating to watch him froth at the mouth whilst typing this garbage!

It is this sort of manic perversion of logic and reason which led to some classic statements like "we had to destroy the village in order to save it" in earlier times.

I have spent time in the USA. I really liked many of the people I worked with there (military). Some began to understand my British sense of humour, one or two even managed to make a passable cup of tea, but "Marxist"? Ye Gods and little fishes"!

I should imagine any tourists staying at the Bangkok Montien Riverside hotel would have been less than impressed with a paramilitary display outside their bedroom windows at 1 am!

I understand, (from the BBC) that Mr. Trump has now denied ever saying that Mexico will pay for the wall!

I have got into the habit of looking at the "World News" forum every morning, to see what he has done next. It rarely disappoints! He really is the gift which keeps giving!

42 minutes ago, Rugon said:

Really, and do you think there might be a lack of police if bribery is banned? 

I'm not sure anyone would notice!