PUBLISHED: 16 Jan 2025 at 17:57
Thai Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has announced the urgent need to revoke the ownership of extensive land holdings associated with the Alpine Golf and Sports Club owned by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s family. This declaration came during a press conference on Thursday.
Mr. Anutin emphasized that Chamnanwit Terat, the deputy permanent secretary for the interior, must ensure the revocation is completed by the end of September, prior to his retirement in October. Mr. Chamnanwit oversees the Department of Lands responsible for this action.
The Interior Minister expressed confidence that Mr. Chamnanwit would meet the deadline, warning that any failure to do so could result in accountability for neglect of duty.
According to Mr. Anutin, the Council of State has mandated the revocation of land ownership by private entities, leaving Mr. Chamnanwit with no alternative.
Should the revocation proceed, the current owners must receive compensation, which will be based on the land’s current assessed value, placing a significant financial burden on the Department of Lands, he added.
Despite the sensitive nature of the situation, Mr. Anutin clarified that this issue does not indicate any discord between the Bhumjaithai Party and the Pheu Thai Party led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn.
A minister from the Pheu Thai Party had previously asserted that a contentious land plot in Buri Ram province, a stronghold of Bhumjaithai, rightfully belongs to the State Railway of Thailand.
Ownership Background
The 924-rai land at the Alpine Golf and Sports Club, along with a nearby housing complex in Klong Luang district of Pathum Thani, was originally donated in 1971 by widow Noem Chamnanchartsakda to Wat Dhammamikaramvoraviharn, a temple located in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Following her passing, the Mahamongkut Ratchawittayalai Foundation was appointed as the estate executor and subsequently sold the land to Alpine Real Estate and Alpine Golf and Sports Club, which violates the law against the sale of temple land.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn, in office since August 18 last year, previously held 22.41 million shares in Alpine Golf and Sports Club Co. She transferred these shares to her mother, Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, on September 4. Khunying Potjaman is known as the former spouse of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
A shareholder record dated September 4 indicates that Khunying Potjaman, Panthongtae Shinawatra, and Pinthongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong each hold shares in the company, with Mr. Panthongtae and Ms. Pinthongta being Ms. Paetongtarn’s elder siblings.
