Flights and aviation business at the private Khanong Phra airstrip in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, have stopped following an investigation into claims that its runway crosses a public road. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has not publicly confirmed when operations stopped, or whether the airstrip's permission expired, was suspended, or flights were halted voluntarily. Officials are being urged to disclose a timeline and flight records. The airstrip is near Rancho Charnvee Resort Khaoyai & Country Club and land owned by Golf Khaoyai Co Ltd, linked to members of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's family. Runway found to cross public road Lawyer Phattharaphong Suphaksorn, known as Lawyer Aun Buriram, visited the DSI on 4 September to seek an update on investigation file 108/2568. The DSI's Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Bureau is examining the use of a public road as a runway at Khanong Phra airport. The investigation followed complaints from local people about a road used jointly by the public being used for private aircraft take-offs and landings, allegedly as part of a commercial operation. During an inspection on 17 July 2025, DSI officers found a runway about 19 metres wide and 1,000 metres long crossing a public road about 3.5 metres wide and 450 metres long. The report said the road is under the Lam Takhong Self-Help Settlement, rather than Khanong Phra Subdistrict Administrative Organisation. Any permission to use it must therefore be checked with the settlement and other relevant agencies, not solely the local authority. Questions over ownership and permissions The airport area reportedly covers around 17 land plots totalling about 174 rai, held in several names including Anutin, family members and business associates. Charoen Khiri Co Ltd, connected to the site, previously had Anutin as a director and shareholder before he transferred his shares to his daughter on 30 April 2019, according to the report. Investigators have sought documents from at least five bodies: Khanong Phra SAO, the Land Department, Lam Takhong Self-Help Settlement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Reform Office. Questions remain over who controlled and operated the airport, paid for its construction and running costs, used aircraft, and received any commercial benefit. These are allegations and matters for investigators to establish. NACC inquiry awaits progress Pak Chong police sent their case file to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on 3 July 2025, alleging misconduct by state officials and failure to perform duties under Section 157 of the Criminal Code. The file named Charoen Khiri Co Ltd, Anutin, his sister Anilrat Nitisarot, daughter Nainphak Charnvirakul and Pranee Piriyamaskul among those connected to the matter for NACC consideration. The DSI also sent its investigation file to the NACC in December 2025. More than nine months later, no public update has emerged on action against any individual. Pictures courtesy of Daily News Related stories DSI-probes-alleged-illegal-runway-built-over-public-land-at-private-airpor DSI-probes-illegal-vip-runway-built-over-public-land-in-Nakhon-Ratchasima Join the discussion? 7 September 2026
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