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Officials in trouble over illegal land deeds
WASU VIPOOSANAPAT,
SITTHICHAI SIKHAWAT
THE NATION

16 SET TO BE CHARGED OVER MAJOR LAND SCANDALS IN PHUKET

BANGKOK: -- SIXTEEN government officials are set to face negligence charges for their alleged involvement in two land scandals - covering 370 rai in Phuket province, the Royal Forestry Department revealed at a press conference yesterday.

Eight officials in environmental fields were allegedly involved in the illegitimate issuance of land title deeds for plots totalling 70 rai, worth Bt2 billion, on Freedom Beach at Nak Kerd National Park, department head Theerapat Prayurasiddhi said.

"The first two [officials] were from the Forestry Department and six others from the Land Department," he said, updating progress on land retrieval following the National Council for Peace (NCPO) policy to crack down on encroachment on state land.

Another eight officials were allegedly involved in the illegitimate issuance of Sor Kor 1 land possession documents.

Theerapat said the documents could be used to apply for title deeds for over 300 rai of land worth Bt6 billion in the Kao Ruak-Khao Muang National Park. The accused officials had been working on illegitimate issuing of land deeds and documents since 1987, causing damage worth Bt100 billion, he said.

During in-depth investigation of the two cases, forestry officials collaborated with the Payak Prai Division, whose specialist focus is on investigating forest issues.

Theerapat said the investigative team planned to forward the cases to the Royal Thai Police for further investigation by October.

The land encroachment probes are part of the NCPO's top priorities - to recover land seized by influential groups.

So far, about 50,000 rai of land has been retrieved nationwide.

Sukhothai province had the most land that had been encroached on at 4,000 rai, followed by Lampang with 3,600 rai and Saraburi with 3,100 rai, he said. "We aim to probe all alleged land encroachment cases nationwide," he added.

Yesterday morning, an 850-strong team of Army, forestry officials, police and volunteers started demolishing of some 50 homes, plus 100 other structures at an oil palm plantation in Plai Phraya district in Krabi province, where 100 people had illegitimately set up a settlement.

The 10,000-rai block belongs to the state but was rented to a private company for a plantation. When the concession contract expired, people continued to intrude on 2,000-rai of the block, and had remained for years.

The residents, who didn't resist officials, were taken to the district hall to face charges of encroaching on forest land. The officials said it would take three days to completely demolish the illegal buildings.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Officials-in-trouble-over-illegal-land-deeds-30243358.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-16

[LivinginKata]

'negligence charges' -what about criminal charges ?

These corrupt officials should go to jail and be stripped of their personal assets.

[steelepulse]

'negligence charges' -what about criminal charges ?

These corrupt officials should go to jail and be stripped of their personal assets.

Indeed they should lose all and serve serious time. Problem here is punishment for these types of offenses usually gets a slap on the wrist ( if the charges don't just disappear), making them a great side business and one which has minimal downsides, even if getting caught.

[inzman]

Don't forget the inevitable "transfer to an inactive post". Some penalty!

[oldsailor35]

How about the gifting of government land on Phuket by the then Agricultural Minister, Suthep, to his hi-so friends. Will the general look into that or will he let his friend and ex adviser Suthep get away with it. Why has the land not been returned to the government. Makes one wonder does'nt it ?

[steelepulse]

How about the gifting of government land on Phuket by the then Agricultural Minister, Suthep, to his hi-so friends. Will the general look into that or will he let his friend and ex adviser Suthep get away with it. Why has the land not been returned to the government. Makes one wonder does'nt it ?

Which land is that? National Park land, Sor por kor 1 land, or ? Where is this land located that you're referring to? Everyone needs to get pinched that has stolen and encroached upon gov't land.

[ATF]

2 Billion Baht of negligence. Great work if you can get it.

[Nip]

Don't forget the inevitable "transfer to an inactive post". Some penalty!

Indeed! Methinks that the Governor's swift switch from the cradle of corruption in Phuket to Bangkok has a similar nasty inactive post niff about it! He failed in Phuket and is expected to now sort out all the problems in Thailand?

[shanahan]

I for one would like to bask in the fact that the16 have actually been charged even though it is only for negligence. Hopefully they will receive some decent punishments. I also wish that this is only the start of this type of long overdue action and that the severity of the charges will intensify. The new government has done so much in such a really short period of time. However of course there's a long way to go yet.

[inzman]

What have they done. A lot of news stories, but nobody had been held accountable yet. Same same!

[MediaWatcher]

Does this mean Suthep will be brought to question?

[MediaWatcher]

Nip, on 16 Sept 2014 - 12:32, said:

inzman, on 16 Sept 2014 - 09:05, said:

Don't forget the inevitable "transfer to an inactive post". Some penalty!

Indeed! Methinks that the Governor's swift switch from the cradle of corruption in Phuket to Bangkok has a similar nasty inactive post niff about it! He failed in Phuket and is expected to now sort out all the problems in Thailand?

So true, I hope it's not a reward for his failure...this guy should be sent to work in a rice paddy.

[Don Aleman]

Sixteen, ( 16 ), officials "in trouble " with the degree of "trouble" measured by the Good Ole Boy's Club "

as "who are you related to ?, how "connected is he " ? Lowest rung on the totem pole, ( ranking order ), will suffer a transfer to UPI, ( Unassigned Post Island ), a plush, non working position with full pension benefits and the rest will have already left Thailand or become part of the un indicted who just fade away or are promoted !

[KarenBravo]

How about the gifting of government land on Phuket by the then Agricultural Minister, Suthep, to his hi-so friends. Will the general look into that or will he let his friend and ex adviser Suthep get away with it. Why has the land not been returned to the government. Makes one wonder does'nt it ?

Which land is that? National Park land, Sor por kor 1 land, or ? Where is this land located that you're referring to? Everyone needs to get pinched that has stolen and encroached upon gov't land.

If you look up the hill at the southern end of Kata beach, you will see four blocks of condos that were never finished. They have been there since the late nineties.

They are on Sor Por Kor 1 land that is meant for agricultural use only.

Suthep gave this land to rich Phuket families for development.

When discovered, this lead to the downfall of the Democrat government lead by Chuan Leekpai.

Edited September 16, 2014 by KarenBravo

[steelepulse]

How about the gifting of government land on Phuket by the then Agricultural Minister, Suthep, to his hi-so friends. Will the general look into that or will he let his friend and ex adviser Suthep get away with it. Why has the land not been returned to the government. Makes one wonder does'nt it ?

Which land is that? National Park land, Sor por kor 1 land, or ? Where is this land located that you're referring to? Everyone needs to get pinched that has stolen and encroached upon gov't land.

If you look up the hill at the southern end of Kata beach, you will see four blocks of condos that were never finished. They have been there since the late nineties.

They are on Sor Por Kor 1 land that is meant for agricultural use only.

Suthep gave this land to rich Phuket families for development.

When discovered, this lead to the downfall of the Democrat government lead by Chuan Leekpai.

Thanks, I know that unfinished development well, but I thought it was due to being over 80 metres. It would be nice if the rich Phuket families were made to take these eyesores down.

[kinmaew]

illegal land deeds? Can you imagine say even if they did allow foreigners to buy land 100% unless you know the language how the hell do you know you are buying a legit piece of land with your life savings? Thailand's biggest problem is B&C

[spidermike007]

'negligence charges' -what about criminal charges ?

These corrupt officials should go to jail and be stripped of their personal assets.

True that. Negligence is tantamount to the officials who arrested them saying, "we are incapable of bringing serious charges against these criminals. We are not really interested in causing them too much pain, nor discomfort. But, we are interested in making a bit of a show".

They should be charged with felony criminal charges, and sent to prison for 10 years or longer. They and their families should be fined in excess of 20 million baht. Or half the profit they made on the sale of the land, which could be into the hundreds of millions of baht. Are we serious, or are we just showboating? Show us, do not tell us, please.

[stevenl]

Something is being done.

Some people would be happy with any effort in that direction, a major change with the past, others complain not enough is being done. Unfortunately it seems on Thai Visa the latter are always in the (vast) majority.

Edited September 16, 2014 by stevenl

[NamKangMan]

'negligence charges' -what about criminal charges ?

These corrupt officials should go to jail and be stripped of their personal assets.

True that. Negligence is tantamount to the officials who arrested them saying, "we are incapable of bringing serious charges against these criminals. We are not really interested in causing them too much pain, nor discomfort. But, we are interested in making a bit of a show".

They should be charged with felony criminal charges, and sent to prison for 10 years or longer. They and their families should be fined in excess of 20 million baht. Or half the profit they made on the sale of the land, which could be into the hundreds of millions of baht. Are we serious, or are we just showboating? Show us, do not tell us, please.

I agree.

These guys were an integeral part of the theft of an immovable object, that being, land - such was their brazen attitude to committing their crimes. We are talking about crimes netting millions and millions of baht.

I have no doubt the gross takings of their crimes are some of the biggest on Phuket in recent years.

The headline, "Officials in trouble" doesn't exactly inspire confidence that appropriate justice will be served, swiftly. Therefore, where is the deterent for the future?

These guys should be gaoled, and have their assets confiscated, to send a clear message to the current, and future staff of the Land Office, that this crime will not be tolerated.

Their behaviour undermines everyone's confidence in the Phuket property market.

Anything less would be as you say, just for show, which sadly, wouldn't be surprising.

[MaiChai]

The problem is that corruption is so ingrained in Thai society for so long that also everyone was at it. Thus the inactive post solution is probably not as stupid idea as you think.

[sscsamui]

I am waiting for the day they come to Koh Samui and find out how much land has been Illegally Up graded and encroached on here.. I wonder if the Officials at the land office on shaking in there shoes..... or just to Ting Tong.....

[Valentine]

'negligence charges' -what about criminal charges ?

These corrupt officials should go to jail and be stripped of their personal assets.

True that. Negligence is tantamount to the officials who arrested them saying, "we are incapable of bringing serious charges against these criminals. We are not really interested in causing them too much pain, nor discomfort. But, we are interested in making a bit of a show".

They should be charged with felony criminal charges, and sent to prison for 10 years or longer. They and their families should be fined in excess of 20 million baht. Or half the profit they made on the sale of the land, which could be into the hundreds of millions of baht. Are we serious, or are we just showboating? Show us, do not tell us, please.

I agree.

These guys were an integeral part of the theft of an immovable object, that being, land - such was their brazen attitude to committing their crimes. We are talking about crimes netting millions and millions of baht.

I have no doubt the gross takings of their crimes are some of the biggest on Phuket in recent years.

The headline, "Officials in trouble" doesn't exactly inspire confidence that appropriate justice will be served, swiftly. Therefore, where is the deterent for the future?

These guys should be gaoled, and have their assets confiscated, to send a clear message to the current, and future staff of the Land Office, that this crime will not be tolerated.

Their behaviour undermines everyone's confidence in the Phuket property market.

Anything less would be as you say, just for show, which sadly, wouldn't be surprising.

Don't forget the other perpetrators, the ones who lined the pockets of the officials, who then made huge profits from the developments, the ones who made money off the people who's businesses have been demolished. I don't think anyone here believes these people will find themselves in jail for any length of time.

[NamKangMan]

'negligence charges' -what about criminal charges ?

These corrupt officials should go to jail and be stripped of their personal assets.

True that. Negligence is tantamount to the officials who arrested them saying, "we are incapable of bringing serious charges against these criminals. We are not really interested in causing them too much pain, nor discomfort. But, we are interested in making a bit of a show".

They should be charged with felony criminal charges, and sent to prison for 10 years or longer. They and their families should be fined in excess of 20 million baht. Or half the profit they made on the sale of the land, which could be into the hundreds of millions of baht. Are we serious, or are we just showboating? Show us, do not tell us, please.

I agree.

These guys were an integeral part of the theft of an immovable object, that being, land - such was their brazen attitude to committing their crimes. We are talking about crimes netting millions and millions of baht.

I have no doubt the gross takings of their crimes are some of the biggest on Phuket in recent years.

The headline, "Officials in trouble" doesn't exactly inspire confidence that appropriate justice will be served, swiftly. Therefore, where is the deterent for the future?

These guys should be gaoled, and have their assets confiscated, to send a clear message to the current, and future staff of the Land Office, that this crime will not be tolerated.

Their behaviour undermines everyone's confidence in the Phuket property market.

Anything less would be as you say, just for show, which sadly, wouldn't be surprising.

Don't forget the other perpetrators, the ones who lined the pockets of the officials, who then made huge profits from the developments, the ones who made money off the people who's businesses have been demolished. I don't think anyone here believes these people will find themselves in jail for any length of time.

"I don't think anyone here believes these people will find themselves in jail for any length of time." - so far, there have been some arrests, but to my knowledge, no convictions and sentences have been handed down.

If this remains the status quo, it may be possible, no one is ever bought to account for the rampant corruption on Phuket.

[spidermike007]

I am waiting for the day they come to Koh Samui and find out how much land has been Illegally Up graded and encroached on here.. I wonder if the Officials at the land office on shaking in there shoes..... or just to Ting Tong.....

The amount of work that needs to be down on Koh Samui boggles the mind. From the outlaw venues like the Ark Bar, blasting their music at obscene levels, to the jet ski scammers, the taxi drivers who to this day refuse to use their meters, to the lack of beach clean up, to the amount of sewage being dumped into the sea, to the Bangkok Airlines monopoly, to the lack of law enforcement, etc, etc. I could go on for an hour or more. The army has made some changes, but so far, they have shown tremendous weakness when it comes to follow up, and enforcement, and punishment of crimes committed. Some are starting to question how serious they are about real progress and lasting change.

[Triplebank999]

The amount of work that needs to be down on Koh Samui boggles the mind. From the outlaw venues like the Ark Bar, blasting their music at obscene levels, to the jet ski scammers, the taxi drivers who to this day refuse to use their meters, to the lack of beach clean up, to the amount of sewage being dumped into the sea, to the Bangkok Airlines monopoly, to the lack of law enforcement, etc, etc. I could go on for an hour or more. The army has made some changes, but so far, they have shown tremendous weakness when it comes to follow up, and enforcement, and punishment of crimes committed. Some are starting to question how serious they are about real progress and lasting change.

"...the Bangkok Airlines monopoly..."

As the airline privately owns the airport they can hardly be begrudged their "monopoly".

[spidermike007]

The amount of work that needs to be down on Koh Samui boggles the mind. From the outlaw venues like the Ark Bar, blasting their music at obscene levels, to the jet ski scammers, the taxi drivers who to this day refuse to use their meters, to the lack of beach clean up, to the amount of sewage being dumped into the sea, to the Bangkok Airlines monopoly, to the lack of law enforcement, etc, etc. I could go on for an hour or more. The army has made some changes, but so far, they have shown tremendous weakness when it comes to follow up, and enforcement, and punishment of crimes committed. Some are starting to question how serious they are about real progress and lasting change.

"...the Bangkok Airlines monopoly..."

As the airline privately owns the airport they can hardly be begrudged their "monopoly".

From what I have been able to tell, the airport was built on leased land. So, the airline does not own the land. It appears they built the airport, at their expense, and the government leases them the land. So, the allowance of the monopoly to continue, is a major travesty on the part of the government, and a major betrayal of the public trust. At least from my point of view.

[2fishin2]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Airways

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[NamKangMan]

The amount of work that needs to be down on Koh Samui boggles the mind. From the outlaw venues like the Ark Bar, blasting their music at obscene levels, to the jet ski scammers, the taxi drivers who to this day refuse to use their meters, to the lack of beach clean up, to the amount of sewage being dumped into the sea, to the Bangkok Airlines monopoly, to the lack of law enforcement, etc, etc. I could go on for an hour or more. The army has made some changes, but so far, they have shown tremendous weakness when it comes to follow up, and enforcement, and punishment of crimes committed. Some are starting to question how serious they are about real progress and lasting change.

"...the Bangkok Airlines monopoly..."

As the airline privately owns the airport they can hardly be begrudged their "monopoly".

I suppose you are going to say they own U-Tapao Airport as well.

[spidermike007]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Airways

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

That tells us absolutely nothing. It says they built their own airport. That is it. Who owns the land? Wiki as a reference source. Cute, but lazy research.

[ableguy]

'negligence charges' -what about criminal charges ?

These corrupt officials should go to jail and be stripped of their personal assets.

True that. Negligence is tantamount to the officials who arrested them saying, "we are incapable of bringing serious charges against these criminals. We are not really interested in causing them too much pain, nor discomfort. But, we are interested in making a bit of a show".

They should be charged with felony criminal charges, and sent to prison for 10 years or longer. They and their families should be fined in excess of 20 million baht. Or half the profit they made on the sale of the land, which could be into the hundreds of millions of baht. Are we serious, or are we just showboating? Show us, do not tell us, please.

Sadly your views and thoughts do not count, you do not belong to the old boys network, or indeed the new boys network called I believe me first.