"Aunt Dara - Heang's heir" has appointed an advisor and plans to petition the Prime Minister and Pakorn to investigate Wat Pa Adunyararam, raising doubts about the abbot's appointment and the temple's establishment. They are preparing to report involved parties to the Crime Suppression Division for legal action.
On 27 Aug 2026 at Asawin Grand Convention Hotel, Ms. Chommanee Noichan, known as “Aunt Dara,” along with Ms. Buakhai Sorasamut, heir of Mr. Heang Phimsri, and Mr. Woradet Changbu, advisor to Ms. Buakhai’s estate manager, held a press conference to clarify the appointment of the abbot of Wat Pa Adunyararam.
Mr. Woradet said before the press conference that he was confident in the information, drawing on his experience investigating temples and referencing court rulings on land cases involving abandoned temples in Trat province as case studies.
Regarding Wat Pa Adunyararam, Mr. Woradet questioned that the abbot was appointed in 1992 (B.E. 2535), while the temple was officially declared only in 1998 (B.E. 2541). He asked how an abbot could be appointed if the temple did not yet exist, questioned whether the abbot's nomination and appointment processes were proper, and raised doubts about the authenticity of the official appointment document.
He also noted that temple establishment requires submitting a site plan, building details, and photos to the Sangha Supreme Council for consideration before declaration. He wants to verify whether these steps were actually completed in 1998 and why the documents or photos used to establish the temple cannot be examined, being claimed as “confidential.”
Another concern is about the land: donating land to build a temple and transferring land ownership to the temple are separate steps. Therefore, it must be checked whether the temple’s construction was fully completed and legally valid in 1998 before proceeding with land ownership matters. If the temple was properly established then, the heirs are willing to accept and comply. Otherwise, the facts must be investigated.
Regarding land title documents, the heirs requested to inspect the title deed but were informed by the abbot that it is not held at the temple but at the Office of Buddhism. This raises questions about where the deed currently is and why the heirs cannot access it for verification.
Mr. Woradet clarified that this press conference is not to reclaim the land. If it is confirmed that Wat Pa Adunyararam was legally established, the heirs will accept that.
However, if errors are found in the abbot’s appointment, temple construction, or land management, proper investigation and corrective action are necessary. The key evidence they have is that the abbot’s appointment was illegal, with fabricated documents. He said, “I stake my neck on this,” expressing firm belief that the abbot’s nomination was unlawful, and questioned how a temple can be legally established on that basis.
Aunt Dara added that she has tried over 20 times to request official documents from the Office of Buddhism but was repeatedly evaded. She calls on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also Minister of Interior, and Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapap to order a fact-finding investigation to assist affected citizens. The heirs plan to submit evidence to the Crime Suppression Division to prosecute those involved in forging documents or evidence.