Ex-deputy Chief Of Pattaya City Arrested In Land Misappropriation Case

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A high ranking ex-official of Pattaya City Council and others have apparently been misappropriating government land on Koh Larn (Coral Island), according to Pattaya Police. One in particular was Dr.Jamlong Thongdee, Ex-Deputy Chief of Pattaya City. Yesterday, Pattaya Police, armed with a court-issued warrant arrested Dr.Jamlong at his house on Koh Larn on a charge of invading and possessing government land illegally.

Apparently, since 1990, there have been many individuals who have invaded the forest land of Koh Larn to build hotels and resorts. The Royal Forest Department and Pattaya City Council have been removing these individuals from the various areas, but some of them are still misappropriating the territory and using it for their own ends. As far back as May 24th, 2005, Pol.Gen. Sereephisut Tae-meeyawes, (erstwhile national police officer) and Mr. Niran Watanasartsathorn, Mayor of Pattaya City, had 12 culprits on their books who had illegally invaded the land on Koh Larn. Notable among them was Dr. Jamlong Thongdee, Ex-Deputy Chief Pattaya City, ex-university manager and a freelance writer. Pattaya City and the Royal Forest Department filed a charge against Dr. Jamlong requiring him to vacate the government land, but Dr.Jamlong resisted, attempting to prevaricate until he might gain the right to possess the land. This case has been unresolved until the present time. Finally, however, Pattaya City Court issued an arrest warrant enabling the police investigation team to arrest Dr. Jamlong Thongdee.

Dr.Jamlong declared that he has 14 rais of land on Koh Larn. He had his house built on Samae beach to serve as his residence from where he hoped to be able to write press articles. He used the rest of the land to grow trees and planned to build a place for keeping Buddha ashes. However, later on the Royal Forest Department came in to build an office and resort on what he declared was actually his land.

Dr.Jamlong further said that Pattaya City Council had used the land that he possessed to build a solar power system to provide electricity for local residents, which effectively meant that he only had 5 rais left. He reported that he had never thought that he would be arrested and evicted from the land and is somewhat indignant about it. He maintains that he has been active in conservation and has done his utmost to replant the forest by planting at least 10 trees a day and using his free time to collect rubbish from the beach.

Dr.Jamlong has asked for sympathy and support, maintaining that, unlike other “investors”, he is not going to use the land to build resorts. Plus the fact that, like a good citizen, he has been paying tax for the land to the tune of 24,000 Baht per year. Dr.Jamlong further maintained that Koh Larn, Sak Krok actually belong to Pattaya City, and not the National park. Accordingly, he believes that people should have the right to possess the land legally, as they do in other parts of Pattaya. He is adamant that he has a justifiable right to the land and will consult a lawyer to contest the case and assert his rights to the property.

News Type : Crime

Story : Kampee

Photo : Kampee

Translater : Sunny T

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000003361