Authorities have accused a forest monastery in Saraburi of illegally occupying more than 2,000 rai of state land to construct meditation huts and organise commercial activities, including concerts.
The Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) and the Royal Forest Department are preparing to file a police complaint against Wat Pa Chana Jai, a forest monastery in Muak Lek district, over the alleged encroachment on Sor Por Kor land designated exclusively for landless farmers.
Officials allege the temple used the reform land to host concerts and develop monastic residences and meditation huts, which were reportedly sold to followers for 500,000 baht each.
Sor Por Kor land is a government-issued “right to farm” certificate and cannot be sold, bought, mortgaged, or used for non-agricultural purposes.
Representatives of the temple and the Pa Chana Jai Foundation for Peace said they are willing to clarify the matter and are compiling documents related to original land ownership and funding sources to present to authorities.
Pol Maj Gen Anake Taosuphap, commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, said investigators are gathering evidence and expect to lodge a formal complaint this week.
“Several people who claim they were misled into donating money or joining activities also plan to file complaints,” he said, adding that police are tracing financial transactions linked to multiple bank accounts associated with the temple.
Investigators said clear evidence of encroachment was found at two locations. One site, known as “Ariya village,” allegedly involved the construction and sale of 500,000-baht units, along with electricity poles and prefabricated houses.
The second site is a steep mountain area reportedly developed into a Buddhist park and promoted as a first-light viewpoint.
Fundraising activities are also under scrutiny, as authorities believe the sale of huts on Sor Por Kor land may constitute fraud.
Meanwhile, the monastery’s abbot, Kruba Chaiwat, failed to attend a scheduled press briefing. Investigators plan to summon him for questioning. He reportedly graduated in nursing before entering the monkhood in 2023.
His lawyer, Surasak Meechai, said Kruba Chaiwat was hospitalised due to a heart condition and exhaustion.
Mr Surasak claimed the temple was originally established on 13 rai of land donated by villagers, adding that if inspections confirm the land remains under Sor Por Kor status, the foundation is prepared to restore the forest to its rightful owners.
The lawyer said continued community support would be key to determining whether the project could proceed.
