Journalists Find Land Plot Tied to Bum Panadda in Pathum Thani
Journalists investigating a land plot in Pathum Thani linked to politician Bum Panadda found workers fleeing the site, leaving behind donated water packs and rice sacks. The original owner confirmed transferring the land to Bum's representative after selling a larger parcel. Local authorities said they ordered the contractor to halt filling and apply for a permit, but the work was completed anyway.
Reporters discovered another land plot of over one rai in Moo 1, Khlong An Roadside, Khlong 9, Bueng Bon Subdistrict, Nong Suea District, Pathum Thani Province, with links to Bum Panadda. The site had been completely filled with earth, a construction worker camp was present on one side, and a three-meter-high concrete wall was under construction on the other, with beams and posts already in place but not yet finished. When journalists entered the area, they found a ten-wheel truck and a pickup truck, with workers rushing to load belongings before driving away quickly via Khlong Luang-Nong Suea Road. Additionally, a large amount of trash was dumped around the site, most conspicuously packs of donated drinking water and sacks of rice.
Mr. A (pseudonym), the original landowner, stated that he previously sold over 30 rai to a buyer at 800,000 baht per rai. The buyer then subdivided and resold the land in smaller lots, but Mr. A did not know the details of those subsequent transactions. Regarding the connection to Bum Panadda, Mr. A said he transferred the land directly, with Bum's authorized representative present.
Later, journalists visited the Bueng Bon Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) to inquire about land filling and construction notifications. Supachai Phokhapanich, director of the SAO's Engineering Division, said he learned of the filling on Friday afternoon and called the contractor, ordering them to report to the SAO and stop filling until a permit was obtained. The contractor agreed, but when SAO officials re-inspected on Monday, they found the filling had already been completed.
