Temple Wins Land Dispute After 21-Rai Title Transferred

A lengthy land dispute has been resolved as 21 rai of land has been legally transferred to Wat Pa Adulyaram. On September 16, Anuanchai Chaidech, chairman of the Dhamma Army Foundation, accompanied the temple's abbot to Khon Kaen Provincial Land Office to complete the final steps of the land transfer.

At the land office, officials including Pongsuwat Chaitontueuk, the provincial land officer, Thongtong Chantrangsu, former secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, and Yutthana Photiwiharn, deputy governor of Khon Kaen Province, met with the abbot. The land office then processed the title deed for approximately 21 rai of land, changing the registered owner after the Ministry of Interior authorized the transfer to the temple. The deputy governor, acting in place of the provincial governor, signed the approval.

Once the land office completed the paperwork and affixed its seal, Thongtong Chantrangsu presented the title deed to the abbot of Wat Pa Adulyaram. The abbot displayed the deed to media to confirm that the ownership transfer had been completed. The abbot kept a copy of the deed as evidence, while the original will be stored with the Khon Kaen Provincial Buddhism Office for safekeeping.

Thongtong Chantrangsu, the former secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, said the dispute had now been resolved through proper procedures and the title deed has been successfully transferred to the temple's name. The change of ownership from Hiang Pimonsri to Wat Pa Adulyaram was conducted according to land department procedures and within the required timeframe.

Thongtong said this case serves as an important study regarding temple land rights. Now that the land is properly registered as the temple's property, all parties should work together to maintain and protect it. He noted that other temples across the country may face similar land disputes and can use this case as an example of proper procedure to follow.