Residents Seek Justice Ministry Support in Temple Land Dispute
Residents of an Omthong Housing Project in Samut Prakan submitted additional evidence to the Justice Ministry in their dispute with a local temple over land ownership rights and rental fees dating back to 1994.
On September 10, representatives from the Omthong Housing Project in Samut Prakan's Muang District, led by Suriya Saengrot, met with Ministry of Justice officials to submit additional evidence for their land dispute case, following coordination outlined in a Prime Minister's Office letter.
The residents purchased townhouses and have been paying land rental fees to the local temple under the Omthong Housing Project since 1994. They maintain that their payments are correct and supported by official foreclosure reports and payment records from the beginning, contradicting the temple's position.
The temple filed a letter with Samut Prakan's Provincial Chief contending that it was unaware of the foreclosure office's investigation and claiming the examination was legally improper as it heard only from the complainants. The temple also argues that under the original contract, once construction is completed, all building ownership transfers to the temple, making residents merely tenants.
The residents counter that the foreclosure report is a public document issued by government officials and that the temple made inaccurate claims to its supervisors. They are seeking official certification of facts to confirm their legal rights. Suriya Saengrot stated that she presented the facts to Justice Ministry officials, emphasizing the need for a certificate to serve as key evidence in legal proceedings. The Justice Ministry has expedited coordination with the Samut Prakan Foreclosure Office, under the Prime Minister's Office directive, to issue the certificate promptly. The residents plan to use this certificate and supporting evidence in ongoing court proceedings.
