The director of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) interrogated victims in the case of forest and Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) land encroachment involving 'Phra Chaiwat' before referring the case to the Crime Suppression Division to charge fraud against the public. The land is expected to be reclaimed and reassigned to new farmers.
Following the February 18, 2026, inspection by government officials at Wat Pa Chana Chai spiritual center in Saraburi province, prompted by complaints from local residents about encroachment on ALRO land, misuse of the land, large-scale fundraising from devotees, and wide public debate, 'Kru Ba Chaiwat,' who oversees the site, scheduled a press conference but later canceled it, citing sudden illness and hospitalization, as previously reported.
The latest development occurred this afternoon (23 Feb 2026) at the DSI headquarters, where a former nun, Buddhist laywoman, and former disciple Mol met with Police Major General Anek Tosupap, DSI director, to provide information about Wat Pa Chana Chai in Saraburi for over two hours.
Police Major General Anek stated that the DSI is responsible primarily for investigating encroachment on ALRO and forest land or related forestry offenses. He said they have informed responsible officials from ALRO and the Forestry Department to gather evidence necessary to file charges against offenders, expecting to submit a complaint within this week.
The DSI was invited to two meetings with various agencies including the Forestry Department, ALRO, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission before launching a joint operation. Information revealed that the 2,000-rai area of Wat Pa Chana Chai consists of two clearly separated sections: one originally national reserved forest land later revoked by the Forestry Department and transferred to ALRO, which allocated the flat land to farmers for cultivation.
The other section is the Wat Pa Chana Chai spiritual practice area, further divided into the Ariya village area. Both parts are ALRO land allocated to farmers. Evidence shows contracts involving land sales worth millions of baht, not donations. The land belongs to ALRO, but beneficiaries have resold it to the spiritual center.
Additionally, the mountain area, unsuitable for agriculture, is ALRO land not assigned to farmers but managed by ALRO. However, it has been cleared to create a religious platform called Pha Chana Chai, not for agricultural use. ALRO plans to reclaim this land to reallocate it to other farmers.
Police Major General Anek added that evidence indicates encroachment began in 2023. Regarding the spiritual center's lawyer's February 21 statement claiming the new ALRO law allows transfer of rights to others, he confirmed this is false. The law permits rights transfer only to heirs after the original beneficiary's death. Attempts to circumvent this are invalid. If rights are waived, the land must be returned to ALRO. Any further use requires ALRO approval, which has not been granted.
Concerning fraud, if victims or the public believe they were misled or deceived into purchasing or transferring property or giving money or assets, this constitutes fraud against the public.
Deputy Commissioner Jaroonkiat Pangkaew has assigned the Crime Suppression Division to handle fraud cases, while the DSI continues overseeing ALRO and forest land encroachment. Victims related to ALRO land have begun filing complaints with the DSI, and concerned citizens have provided information about encroachment and activities at Wat Pa Chana Chai.
Mol, a laywoman, said she spent about eight months at Wat Pa Chana Chai, working in house construction. She was contacted by Phra Chaiwat to build 17 prefabricated houses. She covered some upfront costs but, after completion, was not paid, with excuses that the work did not meet agreed specifications. She was then pressured to leave Wat Pa Chana Chai.
Another former laywoman, Phut, said she gave testimony today admitting she was deceived into buying houses and land worth 300,000 baht and made multiple donations totaling nearly 5 million baht before being forced to leave the spiritual center due to financial exhaustion.