In an unexpected twist of political drama and real estate intrigue, Thailand’s Interior Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, has stirred the pot by declaring that the expansive land ownership of the Shinawatra family at the Alpine Golf and Sports Club needs to be revoked. This move comes into focus given Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s familial connections to the property in question.
Anutin, with a sense of urgency that rivals a high-stakes political thriller, instructed Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Interior, Chamnanwit Terat, to complete this revocation post haste, ideally by the end of September. The stakes are sky-high, especially since Chamnanwit himself is nearing retirement in October and currently manages the all-powerful Department of Lands. Should Chamnanwit drop this bureaucratic ball, even in this land of smiles, there will be consequences.
This unfolding drama has the backing of the all-knowing Council of State, which has quite forcefully suggested that private ownership of this sprawling land is no longer a go. The Ministry must now navigate choppy waters to calculate a compensation package for the existing owners based on the market’s current enthusiasm for real estate, a task as daunting as untangling noodles with chopsticks. This valuation is more than just an academic exercise; it represents a significant financial punch to the Department of Lands’ wallet.
Adding a layer to this political trifle, Anutin is quick to squash rumors of a feud between his Bhumjaithai Party and Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party, dismissing any supposed hostility with the grace of a gentlemanly tea party host. After all, it wasn’t too long ago that a Pheu Thai mouthpiece claimed a hotly contested land plot at Khao Kradong in Buriram province belonged to the State Railway of Thailand, firmly placing the ball back in Bhumjaithai’s court.
The controversial 924-rai property at Alpine Golf and Sports Club, nestled alongside a housing complex in the lush expanse of Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani province, has a backstory worthy of a soap opera rerun. Originally donated in 1971 by the philanthropic Noem Chamnanchartsakda to the temple Wat Dhammamikaramvoraviharn in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, the plot’s posthumous journey took a turn when it was whisked away by the Mahamongkut Ratchawittayalai Foundation and surprisingly sold to Alpine Real Estate and their golf-loving counterparts. This sale, of course, jumps the hurdle of legal restrictions on temple land sales with the grace of an elephant on a tightrope.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn, in her own plot twist, transferred 22.41 million shares of the Alpine Golf and Sports Club Co. to her mother, Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, last seen as the former spouse of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. This maneuver, documented by our friends at Isra News, paints a vivid picture of familial ties that could rival a Shakespearean play. The shareholder saga, as of last September, shows Khunying Potjaman, Panthongtae Shinawatra, and Pinthongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong collectively holding a wealth of shares, according to records unearthed by the Bangkok Post.
With this political chess game on the board, complete with royal intrigue, generous land donations, and parliament-backed attorneys, what remains is to watch as this melodrama unfolds. Will justice prevail, or will the curtain fall on this act only to reveal further intrigue and machinations in the land of Thailand’s political theater?
This whole land ownership issue is just a political stunt, plain and simple. Anutin is trying to make a name for himself, but I doubt it’ll solve anything.
I disagree, Joe. This is about setting things right. The land should have never been privately owned in the first place.
Isn’t it more about who gets the upper hand in the next election? Both parties are just playing the game.
But if Anutin succeeds, it sets a precedent for returning other misappropriated lands too. That could be huge!
This whole situation is a mess! Why are we even allowing temple land to be sold like this in the first place?
Exactly, Jonathan! Holy land should remain sacred and not entangled in political thrills and deals.
Glad someone else sees the point. This isn’t just about politics but about respecting cultural heritage too.
Why is temple land not properly protected? There should be stringent laws against such misuse.
Yes, Michael! The loopholes are glaring, and both politicians and corporations are taking advantage.
Don’t the Shinawatras have enough wealth? Do they really need a golf club too?
It’s not just about wealth but power, Sammy. Control over assets like land means influence over many economic aspects.
Well put, Larry. It’s always about maintaining a power status quo.
The fact that this issue has gone unresolved for so long is ridiculous! It just shows how slow the bureaucratic system is.
I think Anutin is doing the right thing, even if it is politically motivated. Some good might come out of it.
To everyone doubting Anutin’s motives, isn’t progress better than none at all?
Sure, but not all progress is good, especially if it means stepping on others’ rights just to score political points.
That’s a valid point, grower134. We have to question the impact of these decisions beyond just the politics.
Why can’t they just leave the Shinawatras alone? It’s a family business and none of anyone else’s business.
Mason33, the problem is the origin of the land. It’s not privately owned farmland; it’s temple land meant for public good.
Oh please, the entire political scene is corrupt. One scandal after another. Nothing surprises me anymore.
Even if Anutin fails to reclaim the land, the attention this case is receiving could help expose wider issues in Thai land politics.
Let’s hope it leads to better regulations to protect lands and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Or it may just make politicians sneakier about their deals in the future.
I’m curious how the remaining Shinawatra siblings will respond. They might have some legal tricks up their sleeves.
The public should have a say in what happens with such contested land. It’s ultimately them who will benefit or suffer.
Remember when this all started? Seems like we’ve been hearing about the Alpines for ages!
Old issues have long tails, Michael. But hopefully, we can learn and improve from this.
If only there were actual consequences for these corporate-political escapades. Might deter future shenanigans.
Will Anutin’s party ultimately benefit from this? It seems like a calculated risk.