Surayud Ordered To Give Up Contested Plot Of Land

[webfact]

KHAO YAI THIENG CONTROVERSY

Surayud ordered to give up contested plot of land

By Prapasri Osathanon

The Nation

Published on January 21, 2010

Forest Department rules former premier not qualified to own land in Khao Yai Thiang

The Forestry Department director-general has signed an order for Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont to abandon his land on the Khao Yai Thiang within 30 days because he is not qualified to hold the controversial plot, a source said yesterday.

Meanwhile, a former subordinate of Surayud yesterday stepped forward to deny being involved in any foul play related to the plot of land, on which the ex-premier's vacation home is located, inside the forest reserve in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Surarit Chantarathip, a retired general, said he had passed the land on to Surayud's family as a gesture of gratitude for a friendship that dated back to their military training days.

"I can vouch that I am not Surayud's nominee chosen to grab the land in a wrongful manner," he said.

Hundreds of locals had settled down in the area before Khao Yai Thiang was named a forest reserve, which led to a 1965 Cabinet resolution granting settlement rights to the villagers, though the Forestry Department got retain jurisdiction. The original settlement subsequently grew into two villages that were sanctioned under the local administrative law.

One of the villagers, Bao Sinnok, who was lawfully given the right to settle on the land, later transferred his land deed, known as Phor Bor Tor 5, to a businessman called Noppadon Pitakwanit.

The saga began in 1997, when Noppadon - faced with insolvency due to the financial crisis - put this plot up for sale.

Surarit said upon inspecting the plot he found it barren but with a great view, so he offered Noppadon financial assistance in exchange for the land. He added that amount paid for the plot ought to be revealed by the businessman. The retired general said he had not been in touch with Noppadon for more than 13 years now.

Surarit added that he had sought and received electricity and water supplies, though none of the relevant authorities alerted him to the possibility of forest encroachment.

The plot was in his possession for five years before he transferred it, on concessionaire terms, to Surayud's wife Thanphuying Chitrawadee Chulanont, he said.

He said Surayud and he were lifelong friends since the privy councillor enrolled as upperclassman proctor at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. Surarit said Surayud looked after him when he underwent heart bypass surgery and that the two also shared some combat duties. However, Surarit insisted that neither of them had ever been involved in a business scheme or a log-poaching scam that was related to the construction of the vacation home at Khao Yai Thiang.

Even though the red shirts are circulating a taped statement of Noppadon alleging foul play, the authenticity of the tape has not been checked, Surarit warned, adding that the businessman should come forward to clarify his allegations.

Surarit also said that he did not want to speculate why the red shirts wanted to fault him and Surayud.

"All I can say is that people with malicious intent will meet their doom," he said.

In a related development, about 100 red-shirt protesters filed a petition at Government House demanding the speedy enforcement of a law on the controversial plot.

The red shirts also threatened to file a police complaint charging Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of dereliction of duty if he failed to launch legal proceedings against Surayud within seven days.

A red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong said the group would hold its next rally at Khao Soi Dao in Chanthaburi this weekend to expose cases of encroachment there.

In regard to a planned protest at Suvarnabhumi Airport to expose the double standards of law-enforcement authorities, he said the red shirts would not seize the airport or disrupt air traffic.

The rally would last a few hours during which banners, designed to raise the awareness of foreign visitors, would be posted near road ramps leading to and from the airport, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-01-21

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[givenall]

Seem like to me this country is ruled only for self interest. Weather is action or allegation, it is all for some that the party like or dislike.

When will this people focus on running the country for the people of this country?

[hammered]

Good. Now give it up and lets turn to looking at the longer running Alpine case which no government has done anything about but dont expect the red shirts to say anything about it as most of the dudes involved are on their team and the red agenda is not about social justice or equality but other things as is repeatedly shown by their turning a blind eye to the often worse excesses of their own poltical supporters.

Edited January 21, 2010 by hammered

[rixalex]

Would have been better had Surayud given the land back of his own accord, some time ago when this all came to light. Alas. At least the right decision has been made now for him. Time for the reds to turn their attention to the Alpine case. Not holding my breath.

[Hardback]

Seem like to me this country is ruled only for self interest. Weather is action or allegation, it is all for some that the party like or dislike.

When will this people focus on running the country for the people of this country?

I agree and I rant about this all the time..this place could be so much more if there was just a little more civic duty. If Surayud gives up his land he will be forgiven by the public..it's a pity that more couldn't do so, and of their own accord.

[Samuian]

Good. Now give it up and lets turn to looking at the longer running Alpine case which no government has done anything about but dont expect the red shirts to say anything about it as most of the dudes involved are on their team and the red agenda is not about social justice or equality but other things as is repeatedly shown by their turning a blind eye to the often worse excesses of their own poltical supporters.

Yep, Alpine Golf Course next!

seconded!

Then "Baharn City"... then... and then... and... anyone to complete the list, if it ever can be completed?

Besides, anyone familiar with higher military ranks and landholdings given by the crown property office, I thought there was somethng like a reward as in massive land holdings - Naipan = pan rai or something like it, anyone?

Edited January 21, 2010 by Samuian

[geriatrickid]

In India, they had no problem bulldozing the slumdog millionaire squatters' shacks.

Maybe the Thai authorities can send for the Indian bulldozers and get going.

[ThailandTommy]

Seem like to me this country is ruled only for self interest. Weather is action or allegation, it is all for some that the party like or dislike.

When will this people focus on running the country for the people of this country?

I agree and I rant about this all the time..this place could be so much more if there was just a little more civic duty. If Surayud gives up his land he will be forgiven by the public..it's a pity that more couldn't do so, and of their own accord.

Whilst I agree whole heartedly the fact still remains that who ever or what ever party takes control of the running of the country 'Money is number 1' in Thailand and the corruption will remain at all levels.

I am not suggesting that Asia/Thailand have a monopoly on corruption it exists in all countries, the difference is that it is more transparent and the general public are more aware and knowledgeable therefore expediting the exposure of such conduct.

The difference in the standard of living between the so called classes is far to large when this gap is reduced and the working classes have a 'voice' steps could then be taken to make these dealings a lot more transparent, once that is achieved the country as a whole might benefit.

[jonclark]

Can anyone explain to me why, previous governments took no action on this issue???? Suerly those ousted in previous governments are just as guilty of negligence etc. etc. as the current incumbents??

Also i would like to hear from reds about what action they feel should be taken against the individuals who sold the land. The burden of accountability and responsibility should after all be equally shared.

[webfact]

KHAO YAI THIENG CONTROVERSY

Surayud ready to give up land in a couple of days

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Published on January 22, 2010

Ex-PM planning to cede vacation home 'so it can be turned into a museum or a foundation'

Privy Councillor General Surayud Chulanont has offered to give up his vacation home located within the Khao Yai Thiang forest reserve in the next day or two after the Royal Forest Department ordered that the premises be vacated within 30 days, a source said yesterday.

Surayud, who served as prime minister after the September 2006 coup, and his wife Colonel Khunying Jitravadi said they were ready to comply with the order issued by the department's director general, Somchai Piensathaporn, right away.

Somchai's order said Surayud was not qualified to own the land.

The source said that the ex-premier was planning to give his vacation home over to the Forest Department so it can be turned into a museum or a foundation.

The Royal Forest Department yesterday also said that the 237 households in the area had 15 days to prove their land ownership. The villagers can either produce their land deed or documents to confirm that they had legally been given the plot by the government. If the villagers refuse to present their ownership papers to relevant authorities, the government agency will confiscate the land and punish the wrongdoers.

The move came after the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry's fact-finding panel visited Khao Yang Thiang and looked into owner transfers of land that was allocated to the poor under a Cabinet resolution dated April 29, 1975.

As a preliminary result, the panel - led by Royal Forest Department's deputy director Chonlatid Surassawadee - found that 1,100 rai had been allocated to 237 households. Of this, 1,020 rai and 2 ngarn 81 square yards were given to 76 households for farming, while the remainder were given to 161 households in the three villages for residential purposes. However, the investigation revealed that only two of the 76 plots were still occupied by the original owners.

Surayud's vacation home was located on one of the plots given to the 76 households for farming.

Chonlatid said the panel would spend 15 days investigating who currently holds the ownership of the plots, adding the panel would also compare an aerial photograph taken in 2002 with the plan approved by the Cabinet in 1975 to see how the area had changed.

The panel has also confirmed that the controversial area, which was the 49th plot allocated, was originally owned by Pak Chong district resident Bao Sinnok. The land allocated to him was 13 rai 50 square yards in size.

"We will investigate whether or not the area has been extended over the past few years," he said, adding that if the panel found any new information or found the land damaged then it would file a criminal and civil suit against Surayud.

However, he said, Surayud had 15 days to appeal the Forest Department's order.

Forest officer Sakkrachai Tongnak, who was one of the village project leaders in 1975, said land in Khao Yai Thiang had been allocated to poor farmers because it had already been taken over by the locals. He also insisted that the plots were properly allocated to poor people in 1975.

-- The Nation 2010-01-22

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[jayboy]

If Surayud gives up his land he will be forgiven by the public

Unfortunately I don't believe this to be the case and the Thais I have talked to ( of differing political views agree).There is almost universal contempt for the way Surayud prevaricated on this issue until his guilt was rubbed in his face by the Royal Forest Department.No more glad confident morning for Surayud.His reputation, perhaps a little unfairly, is sullied forever

Although I have sympathy for their general concern,the point that Hammered and Samuian are missing - when drawing attention to the Alpine Scandal, Banharn's transactions etc - is that we know these involved run of the mill Thai politicians with the low standard of ethics that implies.Yes there is some hypocrisy in the drive aginst Surayud and yes it was largely politically motivated.But - and it is a very big but indeed - the line peddled by the coup merchants and the junta which followed that these were people free of corruption,devoted to the monarchy, the flag and the best interests of the Thai people.All this has been shown symbolically in this one minor incident to have been false.We knew that these people were unpunished criminals for their involvement in the coup and we knew that they were shockingly incompetent but there was a sense they (symbolised above all by a gent like Surayud) retained some vestiges of personal honour.They don't.

The suggestion that the reds should now take on the Alpine affair is puzzling to me.Why should they? - they are partisan political activists.However there's nothing preventing the government taking action on the long running Alpine scandal, and indeed I would welcome that.

[Thai at Heart]

If Surayud gives up his land he will be forgiven by the public

Couldn't agree less. There is a difference between deference to position and forgiveness. He has been found wanting in quite a serious way, and shown to have done something basically illegal. I can see that the embarrassment for him being found so publicly with his hand in the cookie jar might be difficult be he will get over it I am sure. I would equate this to a bloody nose for sticking it in where it wasn't wanted. He will have to live with it.

For my missus at least, this story simply gets a shrug of the shoulders to mean "they are all at it". This if nothing else is probably the feeling that has been reinforced by this story. I worry very much about anyone who enters politics by taking the moral high ground over his opponent. It only sets them up for a fall, it's just a matter of how far. In Thailand that would probably equate to base jumping from the top of Everest to the bottom of the Marianas trench.

I am glad. The light of scrutiny should be shone on all these people continuously. A few might simply expire instantly like vampires in the sun, and some withered old ones cower in the shadows, but in the end it would be good for the country.

[Insight]

I've said it before, but nobody I know really gave a toss about Surayad's scandalous land encroachment on a plot of land that was purchased for 600,000 baht.

They do now however; there's increased respect for his following of the court order and sympathy for - what they see - an old gentleman being evicted as a consequence of the doings of somebody who can't face the courts himself.

Might not be the view echoed around Thailand, but certainly is here in Bangkok.

[animatic]

Would have been better had Surayud given the land back of his own accord, some time ago when this all came to light. Alas. At least the right decision has been made now for him. Time for the reds to turn their attention to the Alpine case. Not holding my breath.

Probably not.

No due process, and then they can try

and force anyone off their land with news print charges and street demos.

It would then be a field day of anyone some one disliked getting forced or shamed off of their land, right or wrong.

It is better that the courts or agencies dealt with it in proper fashion.

So there was something wrong and Surayad is out one summer home, he'll find another.

This is not so grand a Red victory as they will make it seem.

[jayboy]

They do now however; there's increased respect for his following of the court order and sympathy for - what they see - an old gentleman being evicted as a consequence of the doings of somebody who can't face the courts himself.

Might not be the view echoed around Thailand, but certainly is here in Bangkok.

Another one who knows what every Thai is thinking!

I have spoken to several well educated middle class Thais in Bangkok.All feel Surayud, given his purer than the driven snow image, has disgraced himself, albeit on a relatively minor matter.

Whether they reflect the view of everyone in Bangkok I don't know.

[boris52]

thsi is really embarrassing frmo thsi old man. he always came accross as tthe perfect statesman, a gentleman, etc.

it now apears that all that ws a facade.

he is just another self serving bugger who wilil bend tthe rules for his profet.

[Insight]

They do now however; there's increased respect for his following of the court order and sympathy for - what they see - an old gentleman being evicted as a consequence of the doings of somebody who can't face the courts himself.

Might not be the view echoed around Thailand, but certainly is here in Bangkok.

Another one who knows what every Thai is thinking!

I have spoken to several well educated middle class Thais in Bangkok.All feel Surayud, given his purer than the driven snow image, has disgraced himself, albeit on a relatively minor matter.

Whether they reflect the view of everyone in Bangkok I don't know.

Another predictable putdown coupled with the usual brief intellectual masturbation from Jayboy.

Where in my post do I claim to know what every Thai is thinking? The last sentence specifically states where I think this view resonates.

Edited January 22, 2010 by Insight

[boris52]

SHAME of yuo, SURYAT. yuo put a blemish on thailand

[jayboy]

They do now however; there's increased respect for his following of the court order and sympathy for - what they see - an old gentleman being evicted as a consequence of the doings of somebody who can't face the courts himself.

Might not be the view echoed around Thailand, but certainly is here in Bangkok.

Another one who knows what every Thai is thinking!

I have spoken to several well educated middle class Thais in Bangkok.All feel Surayud, given his purer than the driven snow image, has disgraced himself, albeit on a relatively minor matter.

Whether they reflect the view of everyone in Bangkok I don't know.

Another predictable putdown coupled with the usual brief intellectual masturbation from Jayboy.

Where in my post do I claim to know what every Thai is thinking? The last sentence specifically states where I think this view resonates.

Does flaming help your case or just underline you weak argument?

Anyway I note you have now decided to introduce a subjective element by stating "I think" in contrast to your previous post's purported omiscience.So that's progress of sorts.I just happen to think you are wrong.

[Insight]

Does flaming help your case or just underline you weak argument?

Anyway I note you have now decided to introduce a subjective element by stating "I think" in contrast to your previous post's purported omiscience.So that's progress of sorts.I just happen to think you are wrong.

No flame here. Your posting style follows an all-to-familiar pattern, and I'm just highlighting it.

It's perfectly clear my OP is my opinion (re-read my first sentence you ommited from your quote) - nothing I've stated indicates anything to the contrary. I'm not obliged to follow your protocol just to make that clear.

I've said it before, but nobody I know really gave a toss about Surayad's scandalous land encroachment on a plot of land that was purchased for 600,000 baht.

They do now however; there's increased respect for his following of the court order and sympathy for - what they see - an old gentleman being evicted as a consequence of the doings of somebody who can't face the courts himself.

Might not be the view echoed around Thailand, but certainly is here in Bangkok.

[jayboy]

I'm not obliged to follow your protocol just to make that clear

Thank you for making your position clear.It would have been better if the subjective element had been made clearer in your previous post.If however you genuinely think most Bangkokians still regard Surayud as an honest old gentleman who has quite unfairly been accused of encroachment, so be it.Others may hold a rather different opinion.

As to flaming I will leave it to others to decide whether "intellectual masturbation" is normally regarded as a polite term.I personally couldn't care less other than this kind of language distracts attention from the discussion.

[Insight]

Looking through your last 10 or so posts I didn't have politeness down as one of your concerns, jayboy. If it is a concern, perhaps you should exercise some when it comes to people with a viewpoint different to yours.

And I'll say it again; I do not know one person who believes Surayad (or Prem for that matter) should be on the end of all this attention given to him by the red shirts.

[Thai at Heart]

Looking through your last 10 or so posts I didn't have politeness down as one of your concerns, jayboy. If it is a concern, perhaps you should exercise some when it comes to people with a viewpoint different to yours.

And I'll say it again; I do not know one person who believes Surayad (or Prem for that matter) should be on the end of all this attention given to him by the red shirts.

Whether he deserves the attention is all rather irrelevant though. Quite why shouldn't legal wrongdoing be punished? Because he is a nice guy? His wrongdoings are less important than say mine or yours?

He was appointed leader of the country but patently doesn't uphold the law personally. As they say, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

I know personally of 2 people who have told me that it is good that he is getting this treatment. However, I don't think our personal surveys of our direct contacts makes us capable of guageing the opinion of the entirety of Thailand.

Edited January 22, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[Insight]

Whether he deserves the attention is all rather irrelevant though. Quite why shouldn't legal wrongdoing be punished? Because he is a nice guy? His wrongdoings are less important than say mine or yours?

He was appointed leader of the country but patently doesn't uphold the law personally. As they say, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

I know personally of 2 people who have told me that it is good that he is getting this treatment. However, I don't think our personal surveys of our direct contacts makes us capable of guageing the opinion of the entirety of Thailand.

Thanks for reaffirming what I said in my first post.

The attention is a relevant issue, given the source of it all. Fine, the law has been broken, the land will be surrendered and wrists will be slapped. If anything, he's now set a decent example of the law process being followed (That's my opinion by the way. Just me. Nobody else. Just so we're clear).

Was the big red fun bus required to achieve this, with barbed-wire cutters and JCB's in tow? One wonders...

[jayboy]

And I'll say it again; I do not know one person who believes Surayad (or Prem for that matter) should be on the end of all this attention given to him by the red shirts.

Well you know one now.

[Insight]

And I'll say it again; I do not know one person who believes Surayad (or Prem for that matter) should be on the end of all this attention given to him by the red shirts.

Well you know one now.

Not personally.

[Thai at Heart]

Whether he deserves the attention is all rather irrelevant though. Quite why shouldn't legal wrongdoing be punished? Because he is a nice guy? His wrongdoings are less important than say mine or yours?

He was appointed leader of the country but patently doesn't uphold the law personally. As they say, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

I know personally of 2 people who have told me that it is good that he is getting this treatment. However, I don't think our personal surveys of our direct contacts makes us capable of guageing the opinion of the entirety of Thailand.

Thanks for reaffirming what I said in my first post.

The attention is a relevant issue, given the source of it all. Fine, the law has been broken, the land will be surrendered and wrists will be slapped. If anything, he's now set a decent example of the law process being followed (That's my opinion by the way. Just me. Nobody else. Just so we're clear).

Was the big red fun bus required to achieve this, with barbed-wire cutters and JCB's in tow? One wonders...

Doesn't really matter whether they were needed or not. I am not surprised that they have acted in this way, and I really wouldn't be surprised if the yellows go to Alpine. They are perfectly entitled to do it.

I wholeheartedly support actions by either side to highlight and make public the wrongdoings of public figures. Whether both sides are equally proficient at it no one knows, but I would believe that there are plenty of skeletons on all sides that can be dug up.

If one cannot see the apparent hypocracy (and certain comic undertone) of a recent PM (enabled by a coup) who was put in place to replace a supposedly corrupt PM, being caught in an act of abuse of position, then all hope of reasonable debate has gone.

In some ways, having a sitting member of the Privy Council censured like this is far more momentous than Thaksin being removed by coup. The system knows how to do coups, it rarely if ever censures people like Surayud. Strike one for an increase in even handedness under and the rule of the law I say.

[TAWP]

The Royal Forest Department yesterday also said that the 237 households in the area had 15 days to prove their land ownership. The villagers can either produce their land deed or documents to confirm that they had legally been given the plot by the government. If the villagers refuse to present their ownership papers to relevant authorities, the government agency will confiscate the land and punish the wrongdoers.

Something to note, there is not only one person or family affected. And in many cases some of these other families might be far more affected than just losing a small summer house.

[MiG16]

Jayboy and Insight -

let it go

[Bagwan]

Quote from The Nation :-

A red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong said the group would hold its next rally at Khao Soi Dao in Chanthaburi this weekend to expose cases of encroachment there.

Unquote.

I have been down to the resort at Soi Dao a number of times and was given to understand that the controlling interest was held by the then Governor of the Bank of Thailand whose name of several syllables escapes me. The guy running the place rejoiced in the title of Major General. Mmmmm.

I was told about 5 years ago when on a visit that some land belonging a nature reserve had been purloined to construct the golf course. No mention of General Prem's interest was ever mentioned. It must be said that the place is of outstanding natural beauty.