Mystery photo adds to pressure on Surayud

An anti-coup coalition yesterday urged the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to search the property of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont over allegations that he illegally acquired four train carriages for his home in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The Thai-language newspaper Khaosod published a photo on the front page of yesterday's edition which showed a building that resembled a railway carriage near Surayud's retreat home.

The Forestry Department is also reported to be scrutinising Surayud's plot of land to decide whether is located in the national forest reserve.

Sudchai Bunchai, a leader of the Saturday Opposition Group against the Coup, handed an open letter to an official at the NCCC's headquarters, asking the anti-graft agency to scrutinise the land at Surayud's retreat residence.

There are suspicions as to how Surayud acquired the train carriages and the plot of land on which the house was built.

As the land was part of a national forest reserve before being transferred to the ownership of a local resident named "Bao", from whom Surayud claimed to have bought the land, the NCCC should check if the local man ever existed and if the purchase was transparent, Sudchai said.

Khaosod published the photo that contradicts the images shown by Surayud in his press briefing on Monday.

During the briefing, Surayud showed three aerial photos of his 20-rai residence taken on August 23, 2005. He told reporters there was no train railway carriage on his property. However, Khaosod's photo shows there is a long rectangular object located close to the house, which is apparently the same house where Surayud said he often stayed for a retreat.

The newspaper said the object looked like a train carriage. Its reporter took the photo only a few days ago, it added.

After hearing about the anti-coup group's move, Surayud insisted he was open to any kind of scrutiny as he was a man of the people.

Wichai Laemwilai, director-general of the Forestry Department, said he would look into the allegation, particularly if Surayud's residence was located in a national forest reserve.

Thai Rak Thai Party deputy spokesman Jatuporn Promphan called on the NCCC to seek the truth in the matter as he believed the residence was built on national forest reserve land. He did not show any evidence.

Meanwhile, former TRT minister Suranand Vejjajiva called for fairness over the scrutiny of national leaders. As anti-graft agencies have launched a serious probe into deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, they should let him have a chance to defend himself, he said.

Surayud's case should be applied under the same context, he added.

"As the government is not elected, it should be scrutinised more seriously," he said.

The report about the train carriage was allegedly leaked to the press last weekend by an aide to former prime minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who appears to have a conflict with the coup leaders.

The Nation

PM ready to face land use inquiry

Willing to quit if he's found in the wrong

PRADIT RUANGDIT PIYAPORN WONGRUANG

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has welcomed the prospect of an investigation into his use of a block of land on Khao Yai Thiang hill in Nakhon Ratchasima, saying he was ready to step down if he was found to have done wrong. Gen Surayud maintained yesterday he had followed proper procedures in his use of the land, but said he had no objection to an investigation.

''If I am in the wrong, I am willing to give up [the right to use the land]. And if I should be held responsible politically, I am willing [to accept it]. And if it is deemed I should resign, I am ready,'' the prime minister said.

The plot in question is said to be part of a forest reserve that the Forestry Department agreed to allocate to landless farmers. They were issued land certificates authorising them to make a living using the land.

The prime minister has been accused of illegally holding the land right and misusing the land, which was reportedly earmarked for agricultural purposes only.

Gen Surayud said he did not own the 20-rai plot, but was leasing the right to use it from a villager, earlier identified as ''Mr Pao''. His wife had paid the taxes for the land since 2002.

''We do not own it and the full owner is still around. We use and continue to develop the land, as you can see,'' Gen Surayud said.

The section is near the army-owned TV Channel 5 signal relay station.

Gen Surayud also distanced the government from the row over the land, saying it was a personal matter.

He said it would be inappropriate for him to direct the Land Department to launch an investigation.

Sarit Srisang, kamnan of tambon Klang Dong, said the Forestry Department allocated land on Khao Yai Thiang to farmless villagers, who were each eligible for a 20-rai plot.

Several villagers then leased or sold their plots to wealthy businessmen who built resort-style houses. The property remains in the names of the villagers.

''You can see Lam Takhong reservoir and Pak Chong town from the mountains. There are several resort villas up there,'' Mr Sarit said.

A land official who oversees the Khao Yai Thiang area declined to discuss the status of the prime minister's block of land, saying it was under investigation.

Wichai Laemwichai, director-general of the Land Department, said the villagers who were allowed to occupy the land were prohibited from transferring or selling their rights. Initially, the inquiry would focus on the legal status of the plot occupied by the prime minister.

A Land Department source said there are several cases involving land leased in the province, especially plots around Khao Yai national park.

Most land allocated under the land reform scheme was not transferrable but local authorities helped issue landright certificates and made ownership trans ferrable.

''The land of Madam PK was one of these cases. The scandal faded as there was no damaged party,'' the source said, referring to a controversy raised against former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh in a censure debate. Madam PK was understood to refer to Khunying Pankrua, his wife.

A source close to the military said parts of Khao Yai Thiang belonged to the army, which had won a legal battle over the land against the farmers. The army accused the villagers of encroachment and had them evicted.

An officer attached to Army Region 2 then helped some senior officers acquire land plots on Khao Yai Thiang to build personal retreats.

Bangkok Post

So whats happening about these "shady" land deals

There obviously not shady anymore and have been cleared by the processes that happen in Thailand.