Thai Cabinet approves land expropriation along high-speed rail

[webfact]

Cabinet approves land expropriation along high-speed rail

  

BANGKOK, 8 September 2016 (NNT) - The Cabinet has approved the expropriation of lands adjacent to a high-speed railway project. 

According to a state report, it is within the government authority to make use of expropriated land in whichever way is deemed appropriate within a specific timeframe. The previous landowners will able to reclaim their properties once the expropriation period comes to an end. 

However, the Cabinet is currently determining a suitable timeframe for the landowners to reclaim their lands. If the landowners fail to do so by the government's deadline, then the lands will automatically revert to public property. The Cabinet has been asked to consider appointing a national committee to oversee projects which will be carried out over expropriated land. 

Meanwhile, the government also gave the green light to a housing development project on a 61-rai plot in Bang Sue district. The land, which is occupied by 300 makeshift homes, was given to the government by Siam Cement Group for the construction of an affordable housing project. Current residents will be allowed to move into their new homes once it is completed.

 

-- nnt 2016-09-08

[canuckamuck]

Quote

The previous landowners will able to reclaim their properties once the expropriation period comes to an end. 

Here's your home and business back. Sorry about the double track through your living room.

[Srikcir]

If the previous landowners are entitled to reclaim their properties once the expropriation period comes to an end, why cannot this be done automatically? To force the landowners unnecessarily through a recovery process gives a perception that the government/junta has other plans for those properties that will not benefit the landowners. 

[halloween]

56 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

If the previous landowners are entitled to reclaim their properties once the expropriation period comes to an end, why cannot this be done automatically? To force the landowners unnecessarily through a recovery process gives a perception that the government/junta has other plans for those properties that will not benefit the landowners. 

 

Would the compensation money paid be automatically deducted from their bank accounts? Should a government be able to appropriate land for a certain period, pay compensation, and if the period elapses without development, force the owners to buy their land back?

[maoro2013]

2 minutes ago, halloween said:

 

Would the compensation money paid be automatically deducted from their bank accounts? Should a government be able to appropriate land for a certain period, pay compensation, and if the period elapses without development, force the owners to buy their land back?

I didn't see anything about compensation payments.

 

I understand that my parents- in- law lost 8 rai of land (rice farm) to construct a road and received no compensation at all.

[williamgeorgeallen]

hope not too many ferangs have built mansions on land they are about to loose.  

[Srikcir]

35 minutes ago, halloween said:

 

Would the compensation money paid be automatically deducted from their bank accounts? Should a government be able to appropriate land for a certain period, pay compensation, and if the period elapses without development, force the owners to buy their land back?

Compensation is paid to landowners for the right of expropriation, ie., temporary loss of personal use of property for what may be an unspecified period. It would be irrelevant as to whether the government made use of the property while in its temporary possession, ie., construction site access, materials storage, temporary facilities, etc..

So no, recovery of the property by the landowner should not entitle the government to recover its payment for a right. If the government didn't make use of expropriated property for which it paid compensation, that's government waste for which a landowner should not be held accountable.

My question remains that when the government no longer needs its right of expropriation, why should not the property be automatically returned to the landowner?

[Pib]

Assuming the rail line is built, I don't understand why this story concentrates on what happens "after" the rail line is no longer in use which would be many decades from now to never.  Or maybe they are talking if the rail line project is cancelled over the coming years and the govt wants to offload the land to pay debts.   I'm assuming the govt still must buy the expropriated land at whatever price they determine to be the going price for the land?....or at they saying we are just taking the land....no compensation.  

 

Yeap, this National News Bureau of Thailand (mouthpiece for the govt) media release seems to be talking an event that will occur generations down the road to never if the rail line is actually built.

Edited September 8, 2016 by Pib

[Truscott]

Thailand's Getting An Upgrade?

[BigBadGeordie]

20 minutes ago, Truscott said:

Thailand's Getting An Upgrade?

Yes, 4.0, but it's only a beta version.

[Siripon]

An engineer told me negotiations with China broke down over the high speed train because they demanded commercial use of land 50 metres each side of the tracks!