In a recent twist of events, the Council of State (CoS) has made a bold move, urging the Interior Ministry to lobby for a whopping 7.7-billion-baht budget from the government. This sum is intended to compensate the individuals affected by the contentious land transfer involving the Shinawatra family’s prized Alpine Golf Course. Pakorn Nilprapunt, the CoS secretary-general, underscored the necessity to address the grievances of those who suffered due to this mishandled transaction and spotlighted the need to hold accountable the officials whose oversight facilitated it.
The lack of an existing budget for such compensations has been acknowledged, and Nilprapunt emphasized the pressing need for the ministry to engage with the Budget Bureau to pinpoint potential funding avenues. This call to action arises from a complex situation involving 924 rai of land nestled in the heart of Klong Luang district, within Pathum Thani province’s embrace. This expanse of land, rich in history, was tenderly gifted by Noem Chamnanchartsakda to the esteemed Wat Thammikaram back in 1971.
In the wake of her passing, the Mahamongkut Ratchawittayalai Foundation found itself at the helm as the executor of Noem’s estate. A significant decision followed: the foundation sold the treasured land to the Alpine Real Estate and Alpine Golf and Sports Club. This transfer included the Shinawatra family, with the family patriarch having a notable stake in the firm and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra previously holding an impressive 22.41 million shares before a generous transfer of said shares to her mother.
The scope of this matter extends beyond just the golf greens. Residential properties are also part of the equation, and the potential revocation of the land back to the temple threatens about 530 families, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their futures.
Pakorn noted that since 2001, there has been a court ruling advocating for the land’s return. “The ruling stands firm on the principle that land bequeathed by an inheritance should remain as directed by the original benefactor. Consequently, the land legitimately belongs to the temple,” he asserted. He continued, emphasizing that if previous administrative orders were misguided, they deserve revocation, with legal recourse necessary for those honestly affected.
Adding fuel to the fire, former deputy interior minister Thaworn Senniam has vocally supported compensation for the flawed handover, charging the Department of Lands with addressing the oversight. As events continue to unfold, one thing remains clear: the resolution to this golf course conundrum is bound to be as intricate as the history it encapsulates.
This whole situation reeks of corruption!
It’s not just corruption. It’s a tradition of corruption.
I mean, what do you expect from politics? It’s all a dirty game!
The land should have never been sold in the first place. It’s a shame.
Exactly! The temple was the rightful owner, and now they’re just trying to make up for their mess.
Why does Thailand always get embroiled in these land scandals? It’s embarrassing.
Money, power, and status. It’s a universal issue, not just Thailand.
Well, a lot of people have lost their homes here. We should care more.
It’s absurd that taxpayers might foot this compensation bill.
Exactly! Why should we pay for their greed and incompetence?
And it’s an enormous sum! The money could be used for better purposes.
Not to mention the environmental issues caused by the golf course!
Does anyone else feel bad for the 530 families potentially losing their homes?
Absolutely. It’s heartbreaking. They deserve security and clarity.
Yeah, and I wonder if they’re even getting their voices heard in all this.
I think Prime Minister Paetongtarn should have responded sooner.
Agreed. As a leader, they should take responsibility and prompt action.
It’s about leadership accountability, plain and simple.
The Shinawatra family always seems to be in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
This is so typical of governments. They drag citizens into their mess, and we pay the price.
I find it puzzling that the legal system took so long to enforce the 2001 ruling.
The land should be restored to its rightful owner, the temple, without further delay.
This reminds me of other land transfer issues. It’s like deja vu.
Inquiry into the Department of Lands’ role in this mishap is crucial.
Compensation is necessary, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of public resources.
The temple’s land is sacred. The government should respect religious and historical sites.
Respect seems to be secondary when wealth is involved.