In Ayutthaya's Bang Sai district, Wat Uthai Tham is facing a lawsuit after heirs of the land donor filed to reclaim over 11 rai of land, despite the title deed having been properly transferred since 2019. The sacristan revealed the dispute likely arises from the land price soaring to nearly 800,000 baht per rai from just 400,000 baht. A man claiming to be a relative appeared, requesting 5 rai to be divided, which the temple refused. Additionally, the temple was asked to stop cremations citing “fear of ghosts,” causing severe distress as the temple must raise funds to fight the court case.
At 10:00 a.m. on 26 August 2026, reporter was informed by Mr. Sophon Homhumkaew, 64, sacristan of Wat Uthai Tham, Moo 10, Bang Sai subdistrict, Bang Sai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, that heirs who once donated land are suing the temple to reclaim it, even though the temple legally received and transferred the title. He revealed the cause likely relates to the land price reaching nearly 800,000 baht per rai. Some heirs requested 5 rai of the temple’s land, but the temple refused. Currently, the temple is troubled, having to attend court and raise money for lawyers and travel to defend its rights.
After receiving the tip, the reporter visited the temple located amid fields near Bang Sai Police Station. Surrounding the area are housing estates and it is close to Bang Sai municipality office, with a large pond nearby. It is known the temple plans to buy an additional 3 rai adjacent to the temple, but has encountered this legal dispute.
The reporter met Mr. Sophon Homhumkaew, 64, the temple’s sacristan, a native of Bang Sai district who collaborated with the late former abbot in establishing the temple. He disclosed that the land, measuring 11 rai 3 ngan 76 square wah, was donated by Mrs. Uthai Kanthanit to Phra Maha Boonsong Pitipunyo, a ninth-level Pali scholar then at a temple in Pathum Thani province, in 1997. He was invited to build the current temple. During construction, the temple applied for permission to establish the temple and was officially authorized in 2019.
During the temple’s establishment in 2006, Mrs. Uthai passed away. After completion, Mr. Sophon contacted Mr. Singh, Mrs. Uthai’s younger brother and estate manager, to transfer the title to the temple, but Mr. Singh refused. Complaints were filed with the Damrongtham center and the courts. Eventually, Mr. Singh consented, and the title deed was officially changed to Wat Uthai Thammaram in 2019.
In 2023, after Phra Maha Boonsong passed away, Phra Maha Peerdon Thitthammo from Wat Pa Kha, Bang Sai, was appointed abbot. There are currently six monks. Then, a man claiming to be another younger brother of Mrs. Uthai appeared, requesting 5 rai of temple land. The temple declined, citing it as one single title deed. Subsequently, a lawsuit was filed by someone claiming to be Mrs. Uthai’s grandchild, demanding the return of all 11 rai 3 ngan 76 square wah. They argued that the family was unaware of the donation when Mrs. Uthai gave the land. The court has called for mediation twice, with the next scheduled for 14 September, putting the temple in great difficulty.
Mr. Sophon said he believes this is an imitation of previous cases where temples faced land claims, compounded by the land price rising from 400,000 baht to nearly 700,000–800,000 baht per rai. Additionally, the temple faces complaints from heirs forbidding cremations, as neighbors near the temple fear ghosts. The temple has had to erect tarps and has not held cremations for a long time, despite having a pollution-free crematorium. He appeals for fairness and warns that such claims not only violate the donor’s faith but also waste the temple’s time. The temple holds proper title deeds and permits.