The court issued arrest warrants for the abbot of Romphotham Temple in Loei Province and three others for violating court orders in a case involving encroachment on over 754 rai of protected forest land. One suspect has already been detained.
According to reporters, on 25 June 2026 at Romphotham Temple in Nong Hin District, Loei Province, Mr. Patthapong Samittiphat, Deputy Director-General of the Royal Forest Department, Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, lawyer Ananchai Chaiyadej, known as the "Iron Lawyer," representatives from natural resources, security, and justice agencies conducted an on-site investigation into the occupation of state forest and land at Romphotham Temple. This was part of the "Morning Dawn at Nong Hin" operation to reclaim state land and strictly enforce court judgments, ordering monks, novices, and laypersons to vacate the temple quarters within seven days.
The latest update, at 10:00 a.m. on 21 September 2026 at Loei Provincial Court, a hearing was held regarding Romphotham Temple's defamation and Computer Crime Act lawsuit against lawyer Ananchai Chaiyadej and Mr. Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, former director of the National Parks Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The court dismissed both cases. Meanwhile, the Loei Provincial Enforcement Department requested arrest warrants for the temple's abbot and three others for violating the Supreme Court's order concerning encroachment on over 754 rai of protected forest.
Lawyer Ananchai Chaiyadej stated that he attended court today for the hearing on the defamation and Computer Crime Act cases filed by Romphotham Temple regarding his posts about the temple's forest encroachment and failure to comply with the Supreme Court's order. The court is scheduled to issue its ruling on 25 October.
Mr. Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn disclosed that Romphotham Temple filed a defamation lawsuit at Loei Provincial Court against him and five others on charges of defamation by advertising. On 21 September 2026, the court dismissed the case, noting that his posts did not mention the temple by name, were unrelated to the temple, and were made in good faith. The court therefore acquitted them. Additionally, one witness for the temple who testified was subject to an arrest warrant issued on 5 September 2026, along with warrants for the abbot and three others.
Mr. Krisakorn Singmool, Director of Forest Protection and Fire Control, Forest Resource Management Office 6 (Udon Thani), revealed that in the case number A.799/2014 at Loei Provincial Court, the Supreme Court ruled on 18 March 2017 that the four defendants—representatives, workers, contractors, and associates—must vacate 411 rai 3 ngan 77 square wah of protected forest and 342 rai 1 ngan 80 square wah of forest land. Romphotham Temple and associates failed to comply with this ruling. On 25 June 2026, multiple agencies coordinated the "Morning Dawn at Nong Hin" operation to reclaim the forest land as per the court order.
The Royal Forest Department through Forest Resource Management Office 6 (Udon Thani) requested arrest warrants for six individuals who violated the court's judgment. Loei Provincial Court issued arrest warrants for four people: Phra Samuh Tatsaphong Analayo, abbot of Romphotham Temple; Mr. Chokamnueay Kanoksangklaenphrom, the third defendant; Mr. Chalermchai Intharachaisri, treasurer; and Mr. Peeraphong Thipkomut, treasurer.
Today, only one of those wanted appeared in court—Mr. Peeraphong, who came as a witness in another case. The police will proceed with court orders regarding the other three suspects.