Family Claims Ownership of Disputed Temple Land in Khon Kaen
A family in Khon Kaen claims ownership of land occupied by Paa Adulyaram Temple, asserting a 1990 conditional deed transfer was never completed after the original owner died. The heir is registering a new title deed while police investigate
A land ownership dispute involving Paa Adulyaram Temple remains unresolved. An heir claims the family retains ownership of the land and is in the process of registering a new title deed. Police are investigating an incident in which multiple individuals placed drainage pipes and cement at the temple's entrance in the Kangsadal community, Khon Kaen municipality, along with notices demanding removal of items within a specified timeframe.
On August 12, a reporter contacted a woman identifying herself as an heir and granddaughter of the original land owner. She confirmed the dispute concerns land ownership under title deed number 61945, approximately 21 rai in area, or about 28 rai when including related land. The family believes the land remains the property of the original owner and is currently seeking to register a new title deed with the Khon Kaen Provincial Land Office. The Land Office has issued a public notice for title registration lasting 30 days, with the deadline set for August 27, 2026. If no objections are filed or legal procedures are not followed, the process will continue through the Land Office's standard procedures.
The heir also questioned the temple's documentation and construction authorization, calling for officials to verify land title documents, construction permits, and the facility's legal status. She stated that according to family records, the temple's name does not appear in the registry of the Sangha Council Region 9, and requested that relevant authorities verify this information.
According to the heir, the original land owner intended to donate the land for temple construction while serving as the community's headman and land administrator. A title deed was transferred on August 17, 1990, but she claims the transfer contained conditions regarding the legal deed that would only take effect once temple construction was completed and met specified requirements, including proper consecration procedures. The original owner died on December 15, 1991, which the heir argues means the conditions for completing the legal transaction were never fulfilled, therefore the land remained the original owner's property and passed to heirs by law. The family said they have monitored the case for over 20 years and have not taken action to show respect for the monks and those connected to the site.
