Navy steps into violent Phuket land dispute

[Lite Beer]

Navy steps into violent Phuket land dispute

Land Department expert Thongchai Suwanpahu displays the title for the disputed land, and affirms it is legit

PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy this week stepped into a nasty land dispute in Chalong between four landowners and local villagers, which erupted on June 1 into gunfire and arson.

So far police have been reluctant to identify those who took part in the attack, but on Monday (September 22) the Navy called a meeting with people living in the Palai area to try to clear up confusion over rights to the 83-rai site.

The 25 or so villagers at the meeting told the officials that they have bought plots of land 10 years ago.

Samreu Mookkawat, 41, a village leader, who brought documentation with him, told the meeting, “This used to be five pieces of land. Now they are all included in one land document. We believe it might be a fake land title, and that we have the right to remain here.”

A villager who gave her name as Dao said, “I have lived here since 2006 and I paid about B30,000 for the land. It was forest with no title deed. I believe I have the right to stay.”

But Thongchai Suwanpahu of the Land Department had bad news for them. He explained that the original five pieces of land have genuine paper trails going back decades. The oldest, deed No 73, was registered in 1913.

The other four pieces had been legally combined with No 73 to make one deed covering the full 83 rai.

The land was previously owned by a woman called Wasana Koisomboon, but after she had amalgamated the five deeds into one, she sold it on October 6, 2008, to a group of four rich investors, Prajit Hongyok, Samran Saengyanuprab, Prateuang Kreuathong and Supalak Kunarak.

Navy Cmdr Pornprom Sakultem, who is in charge of enforcing NCPO policy in Phuket, explained, “One of my responsibilities is to get trespassers off land where they don’t belong. The land on which you are staying is not yours.

“On top of that you started a dispute with [the owners]. The title deeds are legitimate, so you cannot stay there. If you did not know that before, that’s alright. The court has agreed not to punish you if you move out.

“If you agree to move out, please sign the agreement paper at this meeting.” Some of the villagers were convinced by the Land Department evidence. Nineteen people signed.

One said, “Yes, we are staying on someone else’s land. We have to move out because we have no paper to confirm our rights. We just paid money to someone because of the land was so cheap.

“And now we cannot get our money back. We are poor people.” One woman said she had paid money to someone called Nai Daeng (Mr Red) for the land she had occupied. Cmdr Pornprom asked, “What’s his full name?” She said she did not know. “So where is he?” He had died, she said. “So where is his family?” She said she knew nothing about Daeng’s family.

Gradually the villagers at the meeting caved in. Cmdr Pornpom asked Detnarong Songseang, the lawyer for the owners, “Can you find the way to help these people? Can you go back and talk with the owners of the land about this?” Detnarong agreed to do so.

But resentment remains. A villager said, “Someone has already been to try to demolish our homes.” Mr Detnarong replied, “That was me, because some people had already agreed to move out and had accepted that we could demolish their homes. That was all we were going to do. But people wearing masks and armed with knife and bottle bombs threatened me.” The villagers responded, “How about all the men with weapons who came to threaten us?” Cmdr Pornpom asked, “Who has been using weapons to intimidate you?” Some of the villagers pointed to the lawyer.

The commander then instructed Chalong Police superintendent Pol Col Krittapas Dechintarasorn and Navy officers to track down the leading suspects on both sides.

Five people were arrested three weeks after the June 1 attack and guns were confiscated, though police have refused to reveal their names.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/navy-steps-into-violent-phuket-land-dispute-48857.php

-- Phuket News 2014-09-24

[clockman]

See, they never reveal names. Thailand is still feudal! The robber barons live on.

[steelepulse]

See, they never reveal names. Thailand is still feudal! The robber barons live on.

Sure about that? Who are these people

>>she sold it on October 6, 2008, to a group of four rich investors, Prajit Hongyok, Samran Saengyanuprab, Prateuang Kreuathong and Supalak Kunarak.

>>We just paid money to someone because of the land was so cheap.

If it's too good to be true, it probably is. This wouldn't be the first time someone sold land that wasn't theirs to sell.

[stevenl]

If the issue is this clear, why did it need the Navy to sort this?

[BigC]

What makes me laugh is that this is what the south wanted. The army to take over

Be careful what you wish for .....

[laolover88]

My family, Hakka Chinese, owns 2 rai in Phuket, (with sea views, elephants, ducks and cobras). They have the Chanoot.While they were away in Aus the Phu Yai Ban authorised a development company to build a hotel on their land. The costs of fighting this are immeasurable. They just said: Forget it. No-one wants to spend their lives squabbling with these thieves.

[JoePai]

If the issue is this clear, why did it need the Navy to sort this?

Seems strange - but even then why the Navy surely the Marines are more suitable than the Matelots ?

[stevenl]

If the issue is this clear, why did it need the Navy to sort this?

Seems strange - but even then why the Navy surely the Marines are more suitable than the Matelots ?

Have you followed the news lately or read the OP?

I'll help you "Navy Cmdr Pornprom Sakultem, who is in charge of enforcing NCPO policy in Phuket, explained,..."

[Carrerakiss]

If the issue is this clear, why did it need the Navy to sort this?

Because the police are useless. Isn't that obvious all over Thailand? It is to me.

[ezzra]

When it come to owning a piece of land in this country, they will stop at nothing to get it,

if they can get it legally, they steal, cheat, bribe and forge documents to get it... unbelievable...

[lvr181]

If the issue is this clear, why did it need the Navy to sort this?

Because the police are useless. Isn't that obvious all over Thailand? It is to me.

Has to be some truth in that statement!

If you're corrupt it is very hard to be honest. And I am not saying that all Police are corrupt. But there are many people who need their backsides kicked (or more).

Sometimes good to "shake the tree" and see what falls out.

[kovaltech]

My family, Hakka Chinese, owns 2 rai in Phuket, (with sea views, elephants, ducks and cobras). They have the Chanoot.While they were away in Aus the Phu Yai Ban authorised a development company to build a hotel on their land. The costs of fighting this are immeasurable. They just said: Forget it. No-one wants to spend their lives squabbling with these thieves.

This smells as a trolling....

Whoever has the Chanotte registered on his or hers name... if its legit and affirmed at the Land registration office, any judge will give the land back...

[slipperx]

My family, Hakka Chinese, owns 2 rai in Phuket, (with sea views, elephants, ducks and cobras). They have the Chanoot.While they were away in Aus the Phu Yai Ban authorised a development company to build a hotel on their land. The costs of fighting this are immeasurable. They just said: Forget it. No-one wants to spend their lives squabbling with these thieves.

This smells as a trolling....

Whoever has the Chanotte registered on his or hers name... if its legit and affirmed at the Land registration office, any judge will give the land back...

I'm still no nearer closure with business asset stolen 4 years and several million fighting criminals. You know nothing of the reality here

[The Deerhunter]

What makes me laugh is that this is what the south wanted. The army to take over

Be careful what you wish for .....

You are easily amused then, as well as inclined to say stupid things. The Navy are there because the police and authorities cannot do the job and the lawyer of the (presumed) owner has been acting like a common thug. If the Navy can sort it out properly by use of correct dated title deeds and everyone can see where they are are, then that is a good thing.

I understand you do not like martial law etc but this country is not up to play with normal 20th/21st century legal niceties. That is why the navy is there. Without them there would probably be bloodshed and bullying with no-one actually understanding whether they had rights or were just bullied now and originally conned out of their money by someone selling land that wasn't theirs' to sell

.

Edited September 24, 2014 by The Deerhunter

[umbanda]

It is true that some "smart" Thai people will scam farangs if they can......but it is also true that they will scam naive Thai people if they can too. Unfortunately is part of the culture.

The sad part of this.... is that most Thai naive people..it is also poor.....

Edited September 24, 2014 by umbanda

[Borzandy]

My family, Hakka Chinese, owns 2 rai in Phuket, (with sea views, elephants, ducks and cobras). They have the Chanoot.While they were away in Aus the Phu Yai Ban authorised a development company to build a hotel on their land. The costs of fighting this are immeasurable. They just said: Forget it. No-one wants to spend their lives squabbling with these thieves.

Yes, this is the real life in LOS. The Phu Yai Ban and mafia....

[allan michaud]

See, they never reveal names. Thailand is still feudal! The robber barons live on.

Sure about that? Who are these people

>>she sold it on October 6, 2008, to a group of four rich investors, Prajit Hongyok, Samran Saengyanuprab, Prateuang Kreuathong and Supalak Kunarak.

>>We just paid money to someone because of the land was so cheap.

If it's too good to be true, it probably is. This wouldn't be the first time someone sold land that wasn't theirs to sell.

A fool and his money are soon parted. Thailand seems to be full of gullible idiots looking for an easy buck. Hard to have any sympathy for them. No different here in Cambodia, many people get ripped off and later get kicked off the land.

[BigC]

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

If the issue is this clear, why did it need the Navy to sort this?

Because the police are useless. Isn't that obvious all over Thailand? It is to me.

Has to be some truth in that statement!

If you're corrupt it is very hard to be honest. And I am not saying that all Police are corrupt. But there are many people who need their backsides kicked (or more).

Sometimes good to "shake the tree" and see what falls out.

In a world of corruption is could be very dangerous to me not corrupt or how can your team mates trust you ???

[Cake Monster]

Other countries use their Navy,s and other Armed Forces for the protection of their homelands and people, from invaders, and as a deterent to would be intruders upon Soveriegn soil.

This should be a civil Police Issue - but enough said on that.

Defineatly underlines how bad the state the country has become due to all the corruption and cronyism / nepotism.

[The Deerhunter]

My family, Hakka Chinese, owns 2 rai in Phuket, (with sea views, elephants, ducks and cobras). They have the Chanoot.While they were away in Aus the Phu Yai Ban authorised a development company to build a hotel on their land. The costs of fighting this are immeasurable. They just said: Forget it. No-one wants to spend their lives squabbling with these thieves.

Talk to the Navy. Navy Cmdr Pornprom Sakultem, who is in charge of enforcing NCPO policy in Phuket is your man. TVF is not going to be much help to you by complaining to.

[The Deerhunter]

My family, Hakka Chinese, owns 2 rai in Phuket, (with sea views, elephants, ducks and cobras). They have the Chanoot.While they were away in Aus the Phu Yai Ban authorised a development company to build a hotel on their land. The costs of fighting this are immeasurable. They just said: Forget it. No-one wants to spend their lives squabbling with these thieves.

This smells as a trolling....

Whoever has the Chanotte registered on his or hers name... if its legit and affirmed at the Land registration office, any judge will give the land back...

I'm still no nearer closure with business asset stolen 4 years and several million fighting criminals. You know nothing of the reality here

Ditto my previous post. Talk to the navy. Navy Cmdr Pornprom Sakultem, who is in charge of enforcing NCPO policy in Phuket i your man.

[kovaltech]

My family, Hakka Chinese, owns 2 rai in Phuket, (with sea views, elephants, ducks and cobras). They have the Chanoot.While they were away in Aus the Phu Yai Ban authorised a development company to build a hotel on their land. The costs of fighting this are immeasurable. They just said: Forget it. No-one wants to spend their lives squabbling with these thieves.

This smells as a trolling....

Whoever has the Chanotte registered on his or hers name... if its legit and affirmed at the Land registration office, any judge will give the land back...

I'm still no nearer closure with business asset stolen 4 years and several million fighting criminals. You know nothing of the reality here

business asset is far away from a registered chanotte.

stolen is only stolen if been proven for court or admitted by the culpritt...

[slipperx]

My family, Hakka Chinese, owns 2 rai in Phuket, (with sea views, elephants, ducks and cobras). They have the Chanoot.While they were away in Aus the Phu Yai Ban authorised a development company to build a hotel on their land. The costs of fighting this are immeasurable. They just said: Forget it. No-one wants to spend their lives squabbling with these thieves.

This smells as a trolling....

Whoever has the Chanotte registered on his or hers name... if its legit and affirmed at the Land registration office, any judge will give the land back...

I'm still no nearer closure with business asset stolen 4 years and several million fighting criminals. You know nothing of the reality here

business asset is far away from a registered chanotte.

stolen is only stolen if been proven for court or admitted by the culpritt...

Major business asset was the Chanotes and theft and forgeries proven by forensics and admission by thief so all of your provisos covered. Third party immediately mortgaged to bank to protect himself and crooked lawyers have been very busy - hard to prove as lawyers do not tend to admit to corruption and evidence is impossible to come by without discovery process. It looks like another four years of adjournments and bull in an attempt to bankrupt me. It is the way Thais operate. Find a target, coerce a connected person, get the land in their name and mortgage to bank or resell claiming they know nothing. Circumstantial evidence huge as well as paper trail but proving what is in a persons head is another matter!

Most foreigners go home because of a lack of funds to prosecute and time for trial 5 years up. No help from a anyone in fact the opposite especially lawyers both yours and the other side who I am fairly certain are in collusion.