Land Dispute Settled: Temple Title Deed Officially Transferred
A temple land dispute has been officially resolved after the Interior Ministry approved the transfer of ownership to Wat Pa Adulya Ram in Khon Kaen, ending a lengthy legal process that took approximately six weeks to complete.
On September 16, 2025, at Wat Pa Adulya Ram temple, Anantchai Chaiydet, chairman of the Dharma Army Foundation, held a press conference alongside Prayut Prathetsena, deputy chairman, and lawyer Pannchita Chaiydet following a visit to the Khon Kaen Provincial Land Office. A large crowd of supporters gathered to hear the announcement. Anantchai stated that the foundation had been tasked with transferring the land ownership from Hiang Pimson to Wat Pa Adulya Ram, a process that took approximately one and a half months. Today, the Interior Ministry has approved the transfer and reissue of the land title deed, with the original document now held and maintained by the Khon Kaen Provincial Buddhist Affairs Office. Anantchai expressed gratitude to the deceased former owner and his heirs for their merit in establishing and supporting the temple, and declared closure to the temple's long-standing land ownership dispute.
Attorney Pannchita Chaiydet of the Dharma Army Foundation addressed the defamation case involving Wanedech 'Waen' Thanawos, who made critical remarks about the abbot on a radio show on August 28, 2025. The foundation had previously warned that if Waen did not apologize within seven days, legal action would be filed. However, the abbot has requested that the foundation withdraw the case and forgive the offender, a request the abbot's legal team has agreed to respect as a matter of personal compassion. The foundation is separately pursuing two defamation cases: one under the Sangha Act Section 44 and amendments, and another under the Criminal Code Section 393 regarding insult and defamation. The foundation's legal team will not proceed against Wanedech in accordance with Abbot Adul's wishes.
Regarding a separate case of temple trespassing, which constitutes a criminal offense against the state, Pannchita noted that this case cannot be dismissed or exempted as it is a state crime. If the abbot does not proceed, he could face charges of dereliction of duty. The foundation's legal team will pursue this case to its conclusion.
