Deputy Police Chief "Rong Tao" led a team from the Central Investigation Bureau, Forest Crime Division, Anti-Corruption Division, Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Forestry Department to raid four locations of "Wat Pa Chana Jai." They discovered more than 2,000 rai of Agricultural Land Reform Office land cleared to build houses sold for spiritual practice at 500,000 baht each. Authorities are rushing to trace the financial routes involved.
On 18 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Police Major General Jarungkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, and Police Major General Anek Taosuphap, Commander of the Forest Crime Division, along with Mr. Phumvisan Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Deputy Secretary Siripong Sritula, and Mr. Patpong Samittipat, Deputy Director-General of the Forestry Department, led police, forestry officials, the National Office of Buddhism, the PACC office in Saraburi Province, and the Saraburi Land Reform Office to conduct operations.
With search warrants from the Saraburi Provincial Court, authorities searched four sites: 1. Wat Pa Chana Jai; 2. Ariya Village at Wat Pa Chana Jai; 3. International Raksachai Buddhist Center; and 4. Pha Chana Jai, all located in Nong Yang Suea Subdistrict, Muak Lek District, Saraburi Province. The Agricultural Land Reform Office had filed a complaint alleging a group of monks encroached on ALRO land and purchased approximately 2,000 rai from local residents.
The first site is located at Wat Pa Chana Jai situated within ALRO land covering 13 rai. Previously, it was privately used for farming but later abandoned. The temple took possession and constructed about ten buildings. Officials from the National Office of Buddhism verified monk registration certificates and identification cards and informed the local monastic authority about the unauthorized land encroachment.
The second site is "Ariya Village" which has been subdivided and framed, awaiting sale of houses at 500,000 baht each. Authorities found cleared forest areas, leveled land, subdivided plots, and foundations prepared for installing knockdown houses. They also noted installation of electric poles and public utilities in preparation to sell homes to Buddhist practitioners for spiritual retreat.
The third site is "International Raksachai Buddhist Center" where heavy machinery was used to level the land. Excavators and ten-wheel trucks were observed digging holes, filling soil, cutting trees, and preparing to build additional meditation practice centers.
The fourth site is "Pha Chana Jai" where preparations are underway to build a large Buddha statue on a high hill. Authorities found soil leveling and planting of banyan trees along with flag poles bearing the temple's emblem to assert ownership. Signs stating "No trespassing on land within the Agricultural Land Reform area" were also posted.
At the time of the search, Kruba Chaiwat, the abbot of Wat Pa Chana Jai, was not present. Only a lawyer and a nun were there as observers. The lawyer claimed Kruba Chaiwat had traveled to Ubon Ratchathani Province to attend a religious invitation.
Police Major General Anek said that investigations and forestry officials' data show Wat Pa Chana Jai occupies a total of 13 plots of ALRO land covering over 2,000 rai. The temple has no legal right to possess this ALRO land. After the complaint, authorities will investigate the financial sources used for land clearing and construction. They will also examine permit processes for installing utilities such as electric poles and water systems, including who applied for these. During the search, they found a contractor installing additional electric poles.
He added that Wat Pa Chana Jai was established in 2023 and has repeatedly applied to open as a monastic retreat to the National Office of Buddhism but was denied due to lack of land ownership documents and suspicious community consent forms. Currently, the site serves only as a residence for 13 monks. The National Office of Buddhism found the monks are originally from Loei and Ubon Ratchathani provinces and has contacted their monastic authorities to recall them. Additionally, 23 nuns reside there, and dozens more are preparing to ordain.
The Forest Crime Division chief further explained that Kruba Chaiwat, claiming to be the head monk of this retreat, was rapidly promoted despite being ordained only two Buddhist Lent seasons ago at a temple in Loei Province in 2023. He then established this monastic retreat at Wat Pa Chana Jai.
He concluded that the investigation uncovered clear violations of illegal encroachment and land clearing on ALRO land. Following this search, if further offenses are found, forestry officials and ALRO staff will file complaints with the Forest Crime Division. Regarding Kruba Chaiwat, authorities may issue a summons for charges or seek an arrest warrant, depending on developments.