Temple Officials Demand Investigation Into Unauthorized Power Equipment Removal
Temple officials filed a complaint with the Provincial Electricity Authority on August 7, alleging that electrical equipment was unlawfully removed from their Chaiyaphum province grounds in April without proper authorization or notification
On August 7, Prommasath Krittayavir, founder of Devalaivalai Phra Maha Kali temple (also known as Thung Dok Krajeao temple), along with activist Chakai King Tangthim Saphan Mai and lawyer Jes Nathapakorn Sutcha, submitted a formal complaint to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) requesting a fact-finding committee investigate the unauthorized removal of electrical poles and transformers from temple property without permission. They also requested a review of whether the electricity disconnection request process and procedures complied with regulations.
Chakai King stated that the affected parties had not received justice and were forced to appeal to the PEA director to investigate whether PEA staff at the Bamheng Nongkhai branch in Chaiyaphum province were aware of or involved in removing the transformer. Prommasath revealed that on April 22, a vehicle resembling a PEA truck had entered the temple grounds and removed the transformer without any official notification from PEA. On April 23, he met with the PEA branch manager and presented legal documents proving the temple's land ownership to request clarification, and asked for copies of the disconnection request for examination.
Preliminary investigation found numerous irregularities, including discrepancies in the disconnection request details, incomplete power-of-attorney documentation lacking official revenue stamps, and procedural violations of standard PEA regulations. Prommasath questioned whether the approval process for disconnection complied with normal PEA procedures, and whether proper authorization or government documentation existed for using external heavy equipment to remove electrical equipment from the temple grounds, and whether PEA employees participated in or approved the removal. He stated the complaint was intended to verify whether PEA staff were involved in theft of temple property and to determine if backdated documents were created to assist the accused party.
Lawyer Jes Nathapakorn stated they wanted the PEA director to investigate how external parties were allowed to remove the temple's transformer, causing significant damage. The submitted documentation lacked proper details, prompting the request for central PEA investigation into whether the removal was legal and compliant with regulations. PEA representatives initially accepted the complaint and promised to report findings to the complainants within seven days.
