60 million baht luxury wooden home inside natl forest reserve seized in Loei

[webfact]

60-million luxury wooden home inside national forest reserve seized in Loei

BANGKOK: -- Forestry officials, soldiers and police searched a 60-million baht house, built in the traditional Thai-style in Chiang Karn district of Loei province, after it was suspected of encroaching into the national forest.

The luxury wooden house is believed to be owned by an influential tycoon with close acquaintance with a leading politician in Surat Thani province in the South.

Loei Army Area commander, Maj-Gen Woratat Supattananont, together with Loei governor Wiroj Jiwarangsan led a team of authorities to inspect the house which is the Pa Dong Pak Chom National Forest near the Nam Huay Chom Lang reservoir in Chiang Karn district of Loei.

The inspection followed complaint that the house was built in national forest and it is still under construction defying earlier order by forestry officials to move out.

As the National Council for Peace now has made clear of its policy to retake illegally occupied land to build resorts back to the country, local authorities were then stimulated to take action against these influential owners.

This luxury is still under construction and already completed by about 70 percent.

It was believed to have undergone its construction for 7-8 years.

But what is most suspicious about the location is that, there is a reservoir built by the Department of Land Development in 2012, located in the front of the house.

During the inspection with aim to seize the property, authorities were only able to arrest 20 rubber tappers, working on the rubber farm, as well as the house and farm caretaker, Mr Wattana Srisaeng.

The caretaker said he was from Surat Thani province and has been living here for only a year and that he does not know who owns the house.

Head of the Forest Protection Unit 13 of Loei, Pairoj Tanming revealed that the house has been registered by Mr Chalit Boonsa, who was also from Surat Thani, under a false address of Baan Song Peuy of Tambon That in Chiang Karn district. The owner was identified in the document as Mr Somporn Wakchan.

However, he said the house was actually seized two years ago and legal process is underway to prosecute the owner and all officials involved.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/60-million-luxury-wooden-home-inside-national-forest-reserve-seized-loei/

[thaipbs]2014-08-08[/thaipbs]

[GentlemanJim]

 

 

The caretaker said he was from Surat Thani province and has been living here for only a year and that he does not know who owns the house.

 

Funny, by the time I get up in the morning I am sure the entire road knows what colour underwear I have on. Gossip is a national sport in Thailand and I do not believe the caretaker for one nano-second.

[KhunBENQ]

 

The luxury wooden house is believed to be owned by an influential tycoon with close acquaintance with a leading politician in Surat Thani province in the South.

Why this "beating around the bush" while other sources simple name Suthep?

[Tatsujin]

 

 

The luxury wooden house is believed to be owned by an influential tycoon with close acquaintance with a leading politician in Surat Thani province in the South.

Why this "beating around the bush" while other sources simple name Suthep?

 

 

Why the beating around the bush? Quite simply because of the stupid libel and slander laws here that protect anyone with money enough to sue you.

 

if indeed this does have some connection to Suthep, then that's a good thing as it shows the (relative) impartiality that they are applying to the crackdowns.

[NongKhaiKid]

 

 

 

The caretaker said he was from Surat Thani province and has been living here for only a year and that he does not know who owns the house.

 

Funny, by the time I get up in the morning I am sure the entire road knows what colour underwear I have on. Gossip is a national sport in Thailand and I do not believe the caretaker for one nano-second.

 

High Moral ground position - Thais do not gossip they act on what you said,  what they think you said and what they think you should have said .

[EricBerg]

 
The luxury wooden house is believed to be owned by an influential tycoon with close acquaintance with a leading politician in Surat Thani province in the South.

Why this "beating around the bush" while other sources simple name Suthep?

As the house is in Loei I find it hard to believe it is owned by Suthep, as it is a red shirt area. Suthep could not simply walk around there.

Suthep should get his punishment for other crimes - though he did a good job fighting the recent anti yl government-. But for this assumption I would like to see prove.

[KhunBENQ]

A Thai article that names clearly and shows some pictures of the wooden home.

 

สุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ (Suthep Thaugsuban) under the first picture.

Value estimate is 50 milion "only".

My Thai is not good enough, but there is a chance that the owner is his younger brother!

(เชน เทือกสุบรรณ)

 

http://tnews.teenee.com/etc/111140.html

Edited August 8, 2014 by KhunBENQ

[kimamey]

 

 

 
The luxury wooden house is believed to be owned by an influential tycoon with close acquaintance with a leading politician in Surat Thani province in the South.

Why this "beating around the bush" while other sources simple name Suthep?

As the house is in Loei I find it hard to believe it is owned by Suthep, as it is a red shirt area. Suthep could not simply walk around there.

Suthep should get his punishment for other crimes - though he did a good job fighting the recent anti yl government-. But for this assumption I would like to see prove.

 

 

The report says the owner is an acquaintance of Suthep not that he owns it.
 

[SoFarAndNear]

A Thai article that names clearly and shows some pictures of the wooden home.

 

สุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ (Suthep Thaugsuban) under the first picture.

Value estimate is 50 milion "only".

My Thai is not good enough, but there is a chance that the owner is his younger brother!

(เชน เทือกสุบรรณ)

 

http://tnews.teenee.com/etc/111140.html

 

Looksmore like a restaurant 

[seajae]

doesnt matter who owns it, pull it down and take legal action against them. Just because people are rich does not give them the right to do as they please and yes we all know who the idiot in Surat Thani is along with his wife and their families, all crooked as a dogs hind leg.

[Jeremy50]

 

 

 

The caretaker said he was from Surat Thani province and has been living here for only a year and that he does not know who owns the house.

 

Funny, by the time I get up in the morning I am sure the entire road knows what colour underwear I have on. Gossip is a national sport in Thailand and I do not believe the caretaker for one nano-second.

 

'Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people'

[Pii Kate]

That building is beautiful...incredibly beautiful wood.  Don't tear it down, relocate it at the expense of the owner.  It is a museum worthy piece.  The wood alone is priceless. I can only imagine the wood was legally obtained of course. 

 

[LuckyLew]

If it does end up being seized ... instead of tearing it down they should turn it into a camp for dis-advantaged children

or a family get away for those with children with terminal illnesses

[Wombat6]

The Caretaker said he didn't know who the owner is.....????? I'm sure he knows who pays him his caretaker wages...unless he is doing it out of the goodness of his heart

[Robby nz]

 

 However, he said the house was actually seized two years ago and legal process is underway to prosecute the owner and all officials involved.

 

If the house was seized 2 years ago why is it still under construction ?

 

 

 This luxury is still under construction and already completed by about 70 percent.

 

Seems to be quite a confused trail of who owns what.

 

Presumable the caretaker and rubber tappers were paid by someone and the same someone was selling the rubber.

 

Likewise someone was paying a contractor to do the building.

 

Shouldn't be to difficult a trail to follow.

 

Good they are getting down on the land encroachers whoever they may be.

[wilcopops]

 

The fact that people are arrogant enough to believe that they can get away with this sort of stuff is bad enough, but those enforcing it simply don't seem to be able to bring action swiftly against "their own kind".

[ratcatcher]

The easiest way to find out who owns the place,is to send in a troop of soldiers and tell them to set up camp in the living room and use the facilities that exit.

it is hard to believe the arrogance of some people, but given the corruption that preceded the coup, and will no doubt continue (TIT) it is not surprising work has continued.

As another suggested, dismantle the building and relocate to an area where it can be utilized as a museum, school, community centre or just plain auction the lot. Get it off national forest land.

[Ricardo]

The easiest way to find out who owns the place,is to send in a troop of soldiers and tell them to set up camp in the living room and use the facilities that exit.

it is hard to believe the arrogance of some people, but given the corruption that preceded the coup, and will no doubt continue (TIT) it is not surprising work has continued.

As another suggested, dismantle the building and relocate to an area where it can be utilized as a museum, school, community centre or just plain auction the lot. Get it off national forest land.

 

Or perhaps use it as a Field Study Centre, for school-visits, put it to use on behalf of the public-interest where it stands ?

 

And wait for some deluded hi-so poo-yai, of whatever colour, to dare to object ?

[Seastallion]

If it does end up being seized ... instead of tearing it down they should turn it into a camp for dis-advantaged children

or a family get away for those with children with terminal illnesses

Absolutely! I was thinking the same. Pointless waste to destroy it.The jungle has already been destroyed, the timber harvested. Put it to good use.

[harrry]

 

If it does end up being seized ... instead of tearing it down they should turn it into a camp for dis-advantaged children

or a family get away for those with children with terminal illnesses

Absolutely! I was thinking the same. Pointless waste to destroy it.The jungle has already been destroyed, the timber harvested. Put it to good use.

 

They burn perfectly good ivory tusks don't they.

[khounteen]

Chiang Khan is Reds territory, why would Suthep or his family build a house there?, I wonder...

[3NUMBAS]

similar to monk nengkhams palace that was built of mere concrete ,whatever happened to his palace ?

[Artisi]

Just take it over for the Thai people and put it to good use, school, study centre, re-hab centre for disadvantaged kids  - there are many uses it could be put to - find the "owner" fine and jail them along with any officials involved in this complete and utter disregard for the law. No if's, but's or maybe's.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Artisi

[rametindallas]

The place should be carefully dismantled and auctioned off. It is far too high-maintenance for the state to keep/keep up. The state can use the money since it lost so much to the Rice Support Scam Scheme. Increase the penalty for encroachment on national forests to 'confiscation of all assets' of the encroacher. Encroachment on national forests is a crime against every Thai and the punishment should reflect the magnitude of the offense.

[JacChang]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

 

 

 

 
The luxury wooden house is believed to be owned by an influential tycoon with close acquaintance with a leading politician in Surat Thani province in the South.

Why this "beating around the bush" while other sources simple name Suthep?

As the house is in Loei I find it hard to believe it is owned by Suthep, as it is a red shirt area. Suthep could not simply walk around there.

Suthep should get his punishment for other crimes - though he did a good job fighting the recent anti yl government-. But for this assumption I would like to see prove.

 

 

That's why it's hidden in the forests with no neighbors. It's the only place he can sing his yellow songs without anyone complaining. And his new hobby meditating as a monk.

[northernjohn]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

 

doesnt matter who owns it, pull it down and take legal action against them. Just because people are rich does not give them the right to do as they please and yes we all know who the idiot in Surat Thani is along with his wife and their families, all crooked as a dogs hind leg.

 

sorry I don't know and I suspect you don't either.

 

 

 

The fact that people are arrogant enough to believe that they can get away with this sort of stuff is bad enough, but those enforcing it simply don't seem to be able to bring action swiftly against "their own kind".

 

 

Give it a break they have only been in power less than 3 months. I suppose next week you will wonder why they haven't landed a Thai on the moon.

[Beetlejuice]

 

 

 However, he said the house was actually seized two years ago and legal process is underway to prosecute the owner and all officials involved.

 

If the house was seized 2 years ago why is it still under construction ?

 

 

 This luxury is still under construction and already completed by about 70 percent.

 

Seems to be quite a confused trail of who owns what.

 

Presumable the caretaker and rubber tappers were paid by someone and the same someone was selling the rubber.

 

Likewise someone was paying a contractor to do the building.

 

Shouldn't be to difficult a trail to follow.

 

Good they are getting down on the land encroachers whoever they may be.

 

Probably because 2 years ago Thailand was still run by the crap politicians whose idle threats meant nothing and those that considered themselves as the elite and above the laws could wiggle their ways out of any legal situation by having contacts in the right places, influence and money. So the so-called elite believing that the legal threats were of no threat to them because they were too powerful and still continued on with their illegal projects thinking they were immune from prosecution and their building investments were safe.  

Since the Junta have obtained power they have had a purge on these corrupt people that care nothing about Thailand but only out for their own interests. They are now beginning to feel the pressure of a real leadership that say what they mean and they mean business. For the criminals and the corrupt, the days of having special privileges and flaunting the laws are coming to an end.

In my over 30 years of living in Thailand I can honestly say the Junta is the best thing that ever happened to this country. Their takeover has been a fantastic revolution. These are people of action, true Thai patriots that have the interests of the whole country at heart and now where justice and enforcements of the laws is actually seen to be done. I praise every one of them.
 

Edited August 8, 2014 by Beetlejuice

[Zeegator]

This maybe considered off-topic, but there is a connection between this report and the recent one about houses built and demolished on land near to that belonging to Tarit's wife.

 

The authorities have investigated that report and confirmed that, after all the finger-pointing and accusations, mainly by TV posters, those demolished properties were not built on land owned by Tarit's wife. 

 

Why did ThaiVisa choose not to report that important and relevant development?

[Ricardo]

This maybe considered off-topic, but there is a connection between this report and the recent one about houses built and demolished on land near to that belonging to Tarit's wife.

 

The authorities have investigated that report and confirmed that, after all the finger-pointing and accusations, mainly by TV posters, those demolished properties were not built on land owned by Tarit's wife. 

 

Why did ThaiVisa choose not to report that important and relevant development?

 

"Why did ThaiVisa choose not to report that important and relevant development?"

 

Perhaps you might post a link yourself, ThaiVisa is after all as you know a site to which we all contribute, indeed you have made some 190 posts in your first month, very commendable.

 

Regarding who owns this house in Loei, one can hope that it may eventually emerge, but experience suggests that it will be some poo-yai's gardener or maid or chauffeur, such is life here !

 

 

[harrry]

 

This maybe considered off-topic, but there is a connection between this report and the recent one about houses built and demolished on land near to that belonging to Tarit's wife.

 

The authorities have investigated that report and confirmed that, after all the finger-pointing and accusations, mainly by TV posters, those demolished properties were not built on land owned by Tarit's wife. 

 

Why did ThaiVisa choose not to report that important and relevant development?

 

"Why did ThaiVisa choose not to report that important and relevant development?"

 

Perhaps you might post a link yourself, ThaiVisa is after all as you know a site to which we all contribute, indeed you have made some 190 posts in your first month, very commendable.

 

Regarding who owns this house in Loei, one can hope that it may eventually emerge, but experience suggests that it will be some poo-yai's gardener or maid or chauffeur, such is life here !

 

 

 

I think from memory they reported that the land titles were not in her name but the land was adjacent to (attached to her land).