The Nonthaburi Provincial Court yesterday urged all parties, including the well-known Suan Kaew Foundation, to settle a complicated land dispute in private.

The court tried to mediate the case yesterday but postponed its hearing on the land dispute to today to give the parties more time to try to solve it among themselves.

The dispute involves a plot of land bought by the charity founda-

tion, established by Suan Kaew Temple's respected abbot Phra Payom Kallayano in 1986, from Wantana Suksamrerng.

Wantana had claimed ownership of the land after making use of it for many years without being challenged by the rightful owner, Thongyoo Hiranpradit.

By law, she was entitled to request the land title deeds and exercised her right to them. The relevant authorities issued the deeds.

Two years ago, the foundation bought the land for Bt10 million for the temple. But when Thongyoo died, her heirs demanded the land back from the temple and Wantana agreed during negotiations arising from a law suit.

They also demanded Bt15 million compensation from Wantana and the Suan Kaew Foundation.

Jamnong Hiranpradit, the legal executor of Thongyoo's assets, yesterday insisted he and his family had an honest claim to their rights.

"I don't mean to offend the temple or Luang Phor [Phra Payom]," Jamnong said.

His lawyer Kittisak Deeying said it would be best if all relevant parties agreed to settle the dispute without going through a long legal battle.

"The heirs of the late rightful owner have not done anything wrong," Kittisak said.

The Suan Kaew Foundation's secretary Duangjai Thitiyarak said she would consult with Phra Payom Kallayano on the court's suggestion that the foundation consider compensating Jamnong and his family.

According to Duangjai, the monk is currently in Buri Ram to inspect the construction of a branch of the foundation.

Land official Montien Hassanan, who works at the Nonthaburi Land Office's Bang Yai Branch, showed the court receipts for the land transaction between Wantana and the Suan Kaew Foundation.

The receipts were issued for tax, which Wantana is responsible for. In all, the receipts covered Bt1.09 million. Montien produced the receipts to quell reports that Wantana paid more than Bt1 million in bribes to land officials.

The Nation

Nonthaburi