Loss of land drives abbot to Buri Ram
The Nonthaburi Provincial Court yesterday ruled that a charitable foundation must return land to its original owners even though it had paid Bt10 million for the plot three years ago and held a deed to it.
The Suan Kaew Foundation - established by Suan Kaew Temple abbot Phra Payom Kallayano in 1986 - has yet to decide whether to appeal. However, following the court decision Phra Payom announced he would not attend rituals held by the government - particularly those of the Land Department - for an indefinite period. The respected abbot will also leave the province and move to Buri Ram. The court ruling followed a decision to revoke the previous owner's deed for a five-rai plot in Bang Yai district, one rai of which she had sold to the foundation. Wantana Suksamrerng had claimed ownership of the five-rai plot after using it for many years without challenge from owner Thongyoo Hiranpradit. After Thongyoo's death, however, her heirs demanded the land from Wantana. She agreed. They then sued the foundation for the one rai Wantana had sold to it. Foundation adviser Witoon Siriwaroj said he would consult Phra Payom before deciding whether to appeal. The court also ordered the foundation to pay the plaintiffs Bt5,000 in legal costs.
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