Culture
Bang Pu Residents Seek Justice in Long-Standing Land Dispute
Residents of the Ban Aom Thong housing project in Samut Prakan have submitted additional evidence to the Ministry of Justice regarding a complex land dispute involving a local temple.
On September 10, 2026, representatives from the Ban Aom Thong housing project in Bang Pu, Samut Prakan, led by Ms. Sureeya Saengrod, met with officials from the Ministry of Justice. The residents are seeking clarity and official certification regarding their land tenure, which has been a point of contention since 1994.
For decades, residents have been paying land rent to a local temple for their townhouses. However, the situation has become complicated due to conflicting reports from the Samut Prakan Legal Execution Office and the temple’s own claims. The temple has formally argued to the provincial ecclesiastical authorities that the Legal Execution Office’s findings were one-sided and legally improper. Furthermore, the temple asserts that under original construction agreements, ownership of the buildings transferred to the temple upon completion, effectively classifying the residents as mere tenants.
In response, the residents maintain that the Legal Execution Office’s report is a valid public document. They are now requesting that the Ministry of Justice expedite the issuance of a formal certification of facts to support their legal standing. For residents and those considering property investments in the area, this case highlights the importance of verifying land ownership titles and historical lease agreements. The matter remains ongoing as the Ministry of Justice coordinates with relevant agencies to verify the conflicting claims.
