The long saga of the land dispute concludes with the title deed name changed from “Mr. Hiang” to “Wat Pa Adunyararam.” The original deed has been entrusted to the Khon Kaen Office of Buddhism for safekeeping. The abbot has forgiven all parties and will not pursue any cases.
At 09:30 on 16 Sep 2026 at the Khon Kaen Land Office meeting room, Special Professor Thongthong Chandrangsu, chairman of the National Buddhist Protection Committee, Ananchai Chayadet, chairman of the Attorney Army Foundation, Dr. Prayut Prathetsena or “Maha Mee,” vice chairman of the same foundation, Yutthana Photvihok, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen, Kritsakorn Sanitakdi, inspector of the National Office of Buddhism, Udomporn Ekaem, director of the National Office of Buddhism, Netrthip Charoenvai, director of the Khon Kaen Provincial Office of Buddhism, along with the clergy and relevant officials, brought Phra Kru Adunsaranithet, abbot of Wat Pa Adunyararam, to meet the land officials for the title deed name transfer.
Upon arrival at the Khon Kaen Land Office, Phra Kru Adunsaranithet and the Attorney Army Foundation immediately met with Pong Suwat Chaitontueak, the Khon Kaen land officer, and staff for internal discussions in the land officer’s room, where media access was not permitted for listening or observation.
The group then proceeded to the Khon Kaen Land Office meeting room to carry out the crucial procedure concerning title deed number 61945, previously registered under Mr. Hiang Phimsi. The land officer and staff completed the legal registration to change the name on the deed to “Wat Pa Adunyararam,” signing and stamping it accordingly, thus officially recognizing the temple as the owner.
After the land officer signed and stamped the deed, the original title deed was handed over through the Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen to Phra Kru Adunsaranithet, abbot of Wat Pa Adunyararam, in front of the media, disciples, temple committee members, and community witnesses who came to support and witness the event.
The Khon Kaen Land Office then made a copy of the deed before delivering the original document to the Khon Kaen Provincial Office of Buddhism for safekeeping. The Land Office also provided a copy of the deed to Wat Pa Adunyararam to keep on record as evidence.
The name change from Mr. Hiang Phimsi to Wat Pa Adunyararam stemmed from an incident on 14 Aug 2026, when Phra Kru Adunsaranithet presented the original title deed number 61945 to the Khon Kaen Land Office to oppose a request for a replacement deed filed by Mrs. Buakai, who claimed the original was lost. Upon verifying the authenticity of the original deed, officials proceeded with the name change process.
Subsequently, on 31 Aug 2026, Mr. Kowit Saengsakol, or “Lawyer Boy,” the temple’s attorney, submitted over 100 pages of legal opinions and Supreme Court precedents to the Land Office and the Department of Lands director to support registration consideration. Ultimately, on 16 Sep 2026, the deed’s name was legally transferred from Mr. Hiang Phimsi to Wat Pa Adunyararam.
After the deed name transfer was completed, the abbot returned to the temple to rest and shared his feelings, stating that he would not pursue any cases or claims, forgiving everyone involved, and no longer worrying about the matter.
Special Professor Thongthong Chandrangsu, chairman of the National Buddhist Protection Committee, said the abbot came to the Khon Kaen Land Office to correct the deed’s name. The process was handled carefully, properly, and completely, resulting in the official name change. Following the transfer, the Khon Kaen Provincial Office of Buddhism will keep the original deed per regulations, while the Land Office provided a copy to the temple for public viewing. Thus, all procedures are now fully completed.