Law
Dispute Over Temple Land Ownership Leads to Police Summons in Khon Kaen
Three individuals, including a woman known as 'Pa Da,' have reported to Khon Kaen police following a second summons regarding a contentious land ownership dispute.
On September 18, 2026, a 62-year-old woman identified as 'Pa Da' (Ms. Chommanee Noichan) arrived at the Khon Kaen City Police Station to comply with a second police summons. She was accompanied by two other individuals, Ms. Buakhai Phimsri and Mr. Woradet, also known as 'Uncle Waen Thanos.' The group arrived in a van with several others to meet with investigators regarding ongoing legal allegations.
The dispute centers on the registration of land previously associated with an individual named Mr. Hiang. Mr. Woradet expressed strong opposition to the administrative decision to change the land title from Mr. Hiang’s name to 'Wat Pa Adulyaram.' He alleges that the land registration and the subsequent appointment of the temple’s abbot, which dates back to 1992, were conducted improperly.
Police facilitated the questioning in a private meeting room on the fourth floor of the station, restricting media access during the proceedings. For residents and visitors, this case highlights an ongoing local conflict regarding land rights and religious institution governance. While the individuals have responded to the summons, the legal validity of the land title transfer and the legitimacy of the temple's leadership remain subjects of investigation. Further details regarding the specific charges and the outcome of the police inquiry are yet to be confirmed.
