Five steps proposed to end illegal land ownership

By THE SUNDAY NATION

 

THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has proposed drastic measures to tackle the growing number of illegal land ownership cases, especially those concerning forest reserves, public land and undocumented land plots.

 

The agency’s five-point proposal will be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly for consideration on May 31. So far, more than 14,000 cases of illegal land ownership have been filed with the anti-graft agency, involving alleged wrongdoing committed by state officials, businessmen and residents.

 

According to the NACC, many local government officials have abused their authority by issuing illegal and dubious land documents in return for bribes. For example, documents are issued for land plots located in forest reserves, in areas owned by the public or in areas such as mountains where no ownership documents could be issued.

 

The agency’s first proposal is that the government turn to tax scrutiny and land use measures to tackle these cases, with the Land Department and other related agencies ordered to enforce the rules and regulations strictly.

In addition, previous regulations restricting land ownership in some circumstances should be re-instated. Also, new ownership documents to be issued for land plots in tourist provinces such as Phuket and Chiang Rai must be |subject to more stringent rules to prevent a further rise in illegal land ownership cases, according to the NACC.

 

The second proposal is that Sor Kor 1 documents issued for any undocumented land plots be revoked if document holders are unable to provide further ownership proof to land authorities so that they could issue full title deeds within the next 180 days.

 

Third, the government needs to launch an offensive against those encroaching on public land, while also updating the land database for the general public to cross-check. Fourth, use of aerial photographs of public land plots should be increased to verifying the validity of dubious land plots. Fifth, the government agencies with public land plots under their jurisdiction need to strictly enforce rules and laws.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30346340

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-27

17 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

with the Land Department and other related agencies ordered to enforce the rules and regulations strictly.

the mantra: 'enforce...'; thailand is Not the land of enforcement;

seems the Land Department is one of the biggest culprits, asking them to self regulate is a non-starter; it's all a game of self-enrichment for those 'officials', why-o-why would they stop ?

33 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has proposed drastic measures

With the NACC on the case there is one thing everyone can be sure of and that is absolutely nothing will happen. Those grafting state officials, businessmen and residents can settle down and relax.

The NACC would have to be about the most useless, incompetent and inefficient government body in the country. It is there simply as junta window dressing. 

Many could be forgiven for thinking they are simply there to protect unscrupulous crooks and profiteers and underhanded public servants or even lying watch collectors.

Painful, protracted battle to get Chanote for our house, everything moving at snail's pace.. until a 6000 Bahts Christmas gift got it all rolling.

Interestingly during our last visit to the Land Office I could take a peek at the register, which showed that in our area less then a quarter of the land is Chanote.

Edited May 26, 20188 yr by KiChakayan

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

many local government officials have abused their authority by issuing illegal and dubious land documents in return for bribes.

Despite knowing the above truth they then go on to list 5 proposals to correct things rather than deal with the obvious. Rooting out the corrupt and jailing them wasn't mentioned. 

16 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

Despite knowing the above truth they then go on to list 5 proposals to correct things rather than deal with the obvious. Rooting out the corrupt and jailing them wasn't mentioned. 

So far as the 5 proposals are concerned there will need to be numerous committees formed to discuss their full implications to ensure friends, relatives and "connected" people do not get trapped in the net.

As for rooting out anything the NACC is like the PACC and they keep everything "in-house" and thus the police are kept out of it. That way they can be very selective as to who and what criminal charges might eventually arise. A very good system for ensuring only carefully chosen scapegoats are on the receiving end of any punishment.

Edited May 27, 20188 yr by Cadbury

Thailand needs to start publicly executing corrupt officials.

 

That will go a long way to stop all the BS in this country.

5 step in-action plan.

 

1.Form Committee.

2.Examine issue.

3.Ensure no "connected" individuals will be affected.

4.Issue long and rambling press release.

5.Enjoy lunch, complete expenses form, ensure the matter is never raised again, go home. (Multi-tasking here).

10 hours ago, YetAnother said:

the mantra: 'enforce...'; thailand is Not the land of enforcement;

seems the Land Department is one of the biggest culprits, asking them to self regulate is a non-starter; it's all a game of self-enrichment for those 'officials', why-o-why would they stop ?

 

Agree, so if they want to crack down and enforce, surely when illegal land documents are found* (retrospective or whatever) the LTO officers involved should be severely punished, total dismissal, jail and severe fines, at least, hopefully that would deter others from engaging in illegal activity.

 

* I'm assuming and I hope I'm right, there should be a paper trail which shows the names and signatures of the errant officials.

 

 

 

How about checking out Thai companies with minimal turnover and nominee shareholders, with a foreign director and having a villa listed on airbnb for daily rent, eh?

 

Unlikely to happen but I wouldn't mind scooping a couple of them for my Thai kids at bargain prices when the exodus begins.

10 hours ago, Lungstib said:

Despite knowing the above truth they then go on to list 5 proposals to correct things rather than deal with the obvious. Rooting out the corrupt and jailing them wasn't mentioned. 

 

Probably because they know most of the corrupt and may even have received upward-drifting percentages.

 

In Thailand, take nothing seriously if it is issued by a Government Department or Agency. Always look for the hidden agenda, it's usually money.