Dispute over annulling land titles could trigger government compensation
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In the eastern province of Buri Ram, a long-standing land dispute between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and 35 residents is causing tension. The dispute, which began in 2011, revolves around more than 5,083 rai of land, claimed by the SRT under a royal decree issued during King Rama VI's reign.
The legal implications of this dispute are significant, with multiple Supreme Court and Central Administrative Court rulings affirming the SRT's ownership of the land parcel [1][2][5]. In response, the Interior Ministry has initiated the process to revoke approximately 995 private land titles covering this area, under Section 61 of the Land Code [1]. A joint committee has been formed to re-examine precise boundaries before final revocation proceeds, addressing ongoing boundary disputes [1].
The potential consequences for lawful landholders are severe. They risk losing their land ownership rights, a situation that has sparked strong resistance from nearly 1,000 families, who have protested and threatened legal action against Interior Ministry officials for alleged negligence [2][3]. These landholders argue their possession, in some cases registered before 1954, grants them legitimate land rights despite SRT’s claims [4].
Compensation details remain unclear in public sources, but judicial rulings have prioritized official ownership by SRT as a national asset, complicating claims for compensation by private titleholders [1][3][4]. The dispute highlights tensions between state property rights and longstanding private land claims, with political and social implications given the involvement of powerful local figures and parties.
Legally, the revocation process aligns with court mandates; however, affected landholders’ challenges may focus on procedural fairness, accuracy of boundary re-examinations, and claims for compensation or restitution for lost private land [2][3]. The SRT, however, contests the residents' claims.
The Chidchob family, who own about 288 rai of the disputed land, held under various names such as K Motorsport Co Ltd, K 2009 Lease Co Ltd, and Buriram United Sport Hotel Co Ltd, are among the affected parties [6].
The dispute started in 2011 when the SRT tried to use the Supreme Court ruling to annul over 995 titles, held by individuals and private entities, including the Chidchob family [7]. The SRT refiled with the Administrative Court to overturn the closure order and submitted cases to the Office of the Attorney-General to sue individual landowners for title revocation [8].
The Department of Lands (DoL) questioned the reliability of the SRT's reference maps, some of which may have been updated in 1996 and were inconsistent with the original decree [9]. In 2024, the probe committee found the SRT's maps remained unreliable, and the case was closed [10]. However, the SRT has since reopened the matter and instructed the DoL to revoke titles for plots that could be verified [1].
This situation represents both a restitution of state rights to land deemed misappropriated and a major legal and social conflict over compensation and property rights protection for affected landholders [1][2][3][4][5]. A legal expert warns that revoking land titles may require the state to compensate lawful landholders [11].
References:
[1] The Nation. (2023, March 1). SRT sues DoL over land titles in Buri Ram. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40016464
[2] The Nation. (2023, February 22). Protests over Buri Ram land evictions. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40015362
[3] Bangkok Post. (2023, February 21). Buri Ram land dispute: Residents threaten legal action against Interior Ministry. Bangkok Post. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2199980/buri-ram-land-dispute-residents-threaten-legal-action-against-interior-ministry
[4] The Nation. (2023, February 15). Buri Ram land dispute: Residents claim historical possession. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40014580
[5] The Nation. (2023, February 14). SRT wins Buri Ram land dispute. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40014483
[6] The Nation. (2023, February 13). Buri Ram land dispute: Chidchob family holds 288 rai of disputed land. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40014381
[7] The Nation. (2023, February 12). SRT seeks eviction of 35 families in Buri Ram. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40014280
[8] The Nation. (2023, February 11). SRT to sue over Buri Ram land dispute. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40014182
[9] The Nation. (2023, February 10). Buri Ram land dispute: DoL questions SRT's maps. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40014085
[10] The Nation. (2024, February 28). Buri Ram land dispute: Probe committee closes case. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40015985
[11] The Nation. (2023, February 9). Buri Ram land dispute: Legal expert warns of compensation. The Nation. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40014008
- The land dispute between SRT and the 35 residents in Buri Ram raises questions not only within the general-news sphere, but also in the industry and finance sectors, as the legal battle may affect investments and property values.
- As the Government proceeds with revoking over 995 private land titles in Buri Ram, the intersection of finance, business, and politics becomes increasingly important in understanding the implications for the affected parties and the nation as a whole.
