Seripisut appeared at Buriram court for a preliminary hearing in the case where Newin Chidchob sued for defamation and false accusation over allegations of possession of land at Khao Kradong. He told Newin the matter would end if the land was returned.
On 17 August 2026, reporters reported that at 09:00, Police General Seripisut Temiyavet, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, accompanied by his team and lawyers, arrived at Buriram Provincial Court, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram Province, as scheduled for the preliminary hearing in the case where Newin Chidchob, chairman of Buriram United Football Club, filed charges against Seripisut for defamation by advertising and false reporting related to comments on the land dispute at Khao Kradong, involving land owned by the State Railway of Thailand.
Seripisut arrived in a black van before entering the court around 09:00 to attend the preliminary hearing as scheduled. Today's proceedings lasted over three hours amid media and public interest, as the case involves the public land dispute at Khao Kradong, a matter that has drawn continuous attention.
At about 12:40, Seripisut left the court, greeted by supporters and some members of the public gathered in front of the courthouse. At the same time, some citizens and former officials submitted complaint letters regarding the land dispute and the Buriram Teachers’ Savings Cooperative case to Seripisut, who accepted them and said he would investigate the facts further.
After the hearing, Seripisut said he did not actually need to appear in court personally because his side could have appointed lawyers to contest the case. However, he came because he wanted to meet and speak directly with Newin Chidchob.
Seripisut said he wanted to ask Newin directly why, after a court ruling on the land case, he still refused to return the land and continued to be stubborn. He noted that previous rulings on the related land case were clear, and if the legal battle continued, he believed Newin would not win.
“If he agrees to return it now, I could end this matter immediately. Just return it,” Seripisut said.
When asked whether he saw this lawsuit as a gagging attempt, Seripisut said he believed it was meant to prevent him from speaking or criticizing further. He added that he has faced many defamation lawsuits before but has never lost a case.
Asked what message he wanted to send to Newin, Seripisut said he believed Newin could not defeat him if they continued to fight over this matter. He suggested that returning the land would be the best solution, as it would show respect for the law and allow the issue to be resolved.
Seripisut also spoke about their past relationship, saying he bore no grudge against Newin, despite an incident in 1995 when he arrested Newin's vote-buying agents and seized about 11 million baht in cash, leading to legal action and multiple countersuits.
The preliminary hearing today is part of the legal process and is not a verdict on the defendant's guilt. The court's decisions and next steps will proceed according to the orders and procedures of Buriram Provincial Court.