Khon Kaen temple land battle heats up
The abbot of a forest temple in Khon Kaen has produced the original title deed for land donated more than three decades ago, as the donor’s heirs intensify their efforts to reclaim the site.
In a growing dispute over land in Khon Kaen, a forest temple's abbot has presented the original title deed for the property donated over three decades ago. The donor's heirs are attempting to reclaim the land where Wat Pa Adulyaram stands by blocking access and filing for a replacement land title deed. Abbot Phra Kru Adulyasananithet has lodged an objection to the heirs' application and is seeking the property to be registered in the temple's name.
The heirs, led by their granddaughter "Aunt Da", have brought trucks and construction materials to obstruct access to the temple. They have also issued eviction notices, demanding the temple authorities remove structures within 15 days. The abbot took his case to the provincial office of the Department of Lands, accompanied by a senior official of the National Office of Buddhism and the Dhamma Army Foundation vice-president.
The National Office of Buddhism regards the case as urgent, encouraging temples to transfer land titles from donors to prevent similar disputes. Legal proceedings have been ongoing since 2004, with the temple winning cases at all court levels thus far. The land dispute could become a precedent for protecting temple property nationwide, as land disputes often become difficult to resolve after donors pass away.
Written by urgent.news from Bangkok Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
