The court finally postponed the hearing until November 29 to give the parties more time to settle the complicated dispute privately.

The original owners of the land are seeking Bt15 million from the woman who sold it, and from the Suan Kaew Foundation charity.

However, after three hours of discussion yesterday, the three parties failed to resolve the dispute.

In postponing the hearing, the court recommended the groups discuss the matter independently before presenting their cases again on November 29.

The court forbade any party from speaking to the media during this time and requested the press to only report the facts of the case.

The dispute involves a plot of land bought by the charity, established by Suan Kaew Temple's respected abbot Phra Payom Kallayano in 1986, from Wantana Suksamrerng.

Wantana had claimed ownership of the land after using it for many years without being challenged by the legal owner, Thongyoo Hiranpradit. Upon request, as per the law, Wantana had been issued with the title to the land.

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

The Hiranpradits also demanded Bt15-million compensation from Wantana and the Suan Kaew Foundation.

Wantana was absent at yesterday's session, but the court ordered her lawyer to make sure she was present at the next sitting.

A source said the court had suggested the Hiranpradits receive only Bt5 million compensation from Wantana and the foundation and the rest be donated to the temple as a tax-deductible donation.

The Suan Kaew Foundation's secretary, Duangjai Thitiyarak, who represented Phra Payom Kallayano yesterday, said she would consult the monk on the court's suggestion.