In the vibrant heart of Thai politics and right at the beating epicenter of national intrigue, stands the distinguished Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul. Captured mid-discourse, flanked by none other than Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, at the stately Government House on a notably fervent day, October 15, 2024, by Chanat Katanyu’s keen lens, the day unfolds a narrative of power, politics, and property.
On a rather pivotal Thursday, Anutin Charnvirakul, who also helms the Bhumjaithai Party, threw a political curveball. The assembly roared as Anutin boldly declared that the illustrious Shinawatra family’s vast land holdings tied to the fabled Alpine Golf and Sports Club should be stripped from their stewardship. A significant press hullabaloo erupted with the revelation that Chamnanwit Terat, the deputy permanent secretary for the Interior, must orchestrate this ownership rescission, with September folding into October as the unforgiving deadline. Lo and behold, October also marks Chamnanwit’s retirement epoch. The important decision weighs heavily on him as he oversees the keenly observant Department of Lands.
Anutin’s confidence shone as bright as the noonday sun when he prognosticated Chamnanwit’s timely fulfillment of this considerable task. A chilling breeze could be sensed, however, as he hinted at the grim specter of dereliction of duty looming over Chamnanwit should he falter. The path forward to the land ownership annulment had already been paved by the esteemed Council of State, leaving Chamnanwit with visibly fewer options than a game of checkers. Yet, beneath Anutin’s firm stance, a staggering payout hovers. Should the land be rescinded, recompense must flow into the hands of the current proprietors as swiftly as a mountain stream, placing a titanic load on the Department of Lands. The compensation promised to draw from the land’s current valuation, casting shadows of financial worry across the bureaucratic skies.
In a move that some might interpret as a politically charged chess maneuver, Anutin hastily dispelled any notion of discord between his Bhumjaithai Party and Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party. Spiced with a touch of dramatic flair, Anutin’s pronouncement came amid an already intriguing subplot involving a debated land tract in Buri Ram. The Pheu Thai minister staunchly claimed it for the State Railway of Thailand, while Bhumjaithai continued to stake its political tie to Buri Ram’s sands.
Diving into the swirling sands of the land’s storied past, we journey back to the year 1971. A benevolent widow, Noem Chamnanchartsakda, with philanthropic intent, donated an expanse of 924-rai in Klong Luang district of Pathum Thani to Wat Dhammamikaramvoraviharn, a temple cradled in serene Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Posthumously, the tucked-away Mahamongkut Ratchawittayalai Foundation embraced the role of executor for Noem’s legacy. In an unexpected twist worthy of a plot from an epic soap opera, this land later found its way into the hands of Alpine Real Estate and Alpine Golf and Sports Club.
Against the backdrop of political ascension, Prime Minister Paetongtarn embarked on her role on August 18 of yesteryear, carrying with her a substantial holding: 22.41 million shares within Alpine Golf and Sports Club Co. Yet, like the transfer of a torch, those shares found a new domicile in her mother, Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra’s, safekeeping as reported on September 4 by Isra News. The shareholder saga continues, with records as recent as September 4, 2024, highlighting Khunying Potjaman, alongside Paetongtarn’s siblings, Panthongtae and Pinthongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong, taking the reins with 29.88 million, 22.42 million, and 22.41 million shares respectively.
Anutin’s move seems like an obvious power play. Is he trying to topple the Shinawatra’s influence completely?
It looks like a typical political maneuver to me. He’s probably trying to consolidate his own power.
True, but if he succeeds, it could set a precedent against the elite’s control over public resources.
So much drama over a golf course! Politics should focus on real issues that affect the common people.
It may seem trivial, but land and power have always been intimately connected in politics.
Exactly! And the financial implications of all these holdings are huge.
Let’s not forget the historical aspect. Imagine how a mere donation turned into a political battleground over decades.
That’s what makes politics fascinating! It’s like a mystery that never ends.
The politics of land legacy often reveal more about a society’s values than anyone realizes.
Anutin is cornering Chamnanwit right before his retirement. That’s pretty brutal.
Is it fair to blame Anutin? He’s just playing his cards in a high-stakes game.
I get it, but it seems like a heavy burden to place on someone about to retire.
If the land is taken from the Shinawatras, who will actually get it?
The talk about compensation is concerning. Where is all this money supposed to come from?
When the law sides with one party, someone else always ends up taking a hit. Welcome to politics!
Are we ignoring that Pheu Thai might retaliate in some way if this maneuver goes forward?
And yet, behind all these schemes, environmental concerns over these lands are often neglected.
This is like a modern Shakespearean drama. Who knew golf courses could cause such upheaval?
Ugh, politics over-share. Why not focus on stuff like education or healthcare?
The Shinawatra family’s political ties run deep. Is this even a possible fight for Anutin to win?
Everything’s possible in politics if you play the right cards.
The Shinawatras won’t be easy to displace entirely. Their influence is massive.
Chamnanwit’s situation feels like he’s being thrown under the bus. Political ethics in question?
As if ethics in politics is something new? It’s all about survival.
Has anyone considered the spectacle might be orchestrated for public distraction? Classic move.
Was it even legal for the land to end up in private hands after being donated? That’s the key question!
I just hope they handle this without affecting the ordinary citizens who might rely on that land somehow.
Why is government so tangled with elite-owned properties? Isn’t it a conflict of interest?
Shinawatra vs Anutin is the clash of titans in Thai politics. Who will emerge victorious?