Saraburi Deputy Governor Admits No Prior Knowledge of Monastery Encroachment
Saraburi's deputy governor claimed ignorance of illegal monastery construction on forestry land in Muak Lek district, blaming limited staff and lack of public reports for the oversight during a National Anti-Corruption Commission inspection
On August 13 in Muak Lek district, Saraburi province, Deputy Governor Lertshai Sakonsaovapak gave an interview during a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) inspection of Wat Pa Chanjai, which has been accused of illegally encroaching on forestry department land. When asked whether the province had no prior knowledge despite visible construction on forest land, he said local officials have supervisory authority but cannot detect covert violations. He stated that once facts are discovered, legal procedures are followed and it falls to the NACC to determine if anyone committed wrongdoing or neglect.
When pressed on whether locals had reported irregularities earlier, Lertshai said there would be no report unless unusual activity or wrongdoing occurred. He stressed that cooperation depends on residents and media providing tips, adding that if people know of violations but do not report them to the province, authorities cannot act. He confirmed the province cooperates fully with the NACC and insisted staff numbers are limited—making proactive forest patrols impossible without prior information. He rejected suggestions the province was negligent, saying officials perform their duties completely in their areas.
When asked if local authorities should be pushed to conduct more active inspections, Lertshai replied, "We have only this many staff." He reiterated that the province acts on all reports and discoveries made before them. When asked whether delegating follow-up checks to local authorities might allow the matter to go quiet, he dismissed the concern, saying the case will not disappear and that all procedures take time.
