Law
Supreme Administrative Court Rules Former Official Liable for Unauthorized Road Construction
The Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand has ordered a former sub-district administrative organization (SAO) official to pay 3.9 million baht in damages for authorizing road construction on private land.
According to a report by Matichon Online, the Supreme Administrative Court has issued a final ruling regarding the unauthorized use of public funds for infrastructure development. The court determined that a former official of a sub-district administrative organization (SAO) committed 'gross negligence' by approving the construction of a road on private property, which falls outside the legal jurisdiction of the local government body.
As a result of this decision, the former official has been ordered to pay 3.9 million baht in compensation to the state. The court emphasized that local administrative organizations lack the legal authority to allocate public budgets for projects on land that is not public property.
For residents and property owners, this ruling serves as a significant precedent regarding the limits of local government authority and the protection of private land rights. It highlights the strict oversight applied to public spending and the personal liability of officials who bypass established legal procedures. While the court has finalized the liability of the official, details regarding the future status of the road itself—specifically whether it will be removed or if the land will be subject to further legal proceedings—remain to be confirmed by local authorities.