Prof. Thongthong submitted a letter requesting the Khon Kaen governor to protect the monks and change the land title ownership of Wat Pa Adunyararam to the temple, dismissing "Pa Da"'s plan to release a counter video, insisting on relying on evidence and law, and clarifying that the land transfer fee for changing the title to the temple's name is not in the millions.
On 17 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Special Professor Thongthong Chantrasangu, Chairman of the National Buddhist Protection Committee, said after meeting the Khon Kaen governor that he submitted a letter requesting assistance to ensure the safety of the monastic community and to expedite changing the land title of Wat Pa Adunyararam from Mr. Hiang Phimsi's name to the temple's. He cited a 2004 court ruling in a case where Mrs. Nang or Nang Noi Phimsi sued the temple to evict it and annul the legal transaction. The court found that Mr. Hiang Phimsi had originally donated and transferred the land for temple construction, making the donation legally valid, and that the land rightfully belongs to Wat Pa Adunyararam. The plaintiff or heirs have no rights to claim or evict the temple.
Subsequently, the Fourth Region Appeals Court upheld the lower court's ruling, and the Supreme Court declined to consider the plaintiff's appeal, thus finalizing the case.
In another case, where Mrs. Buakai Sorasamut, the heir manager of Mr. Hiang Phimsi, sued the Khon Kaen land officer, Khon Kaen Municipality, and Wat Pa Adunyararam to revoke the legal transaction and claim land ownership, the Khon Kaen Provincial Court dismissed the plaintiff's case in the first instance.
Later, the Fourth Region Appeals Court upheld the lower court's decision.
On 14 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Wat Pa Adunyararam presented the original land title deed to the Khon Kaen land office to oppose a request for a replacement title deed submitted by another party, and applied to change the land title ownership. This matter is under the authority of the Khon Kaen land office to proceed according to the Department of Lands’ legal opinion. The land was originally intended and agreed upon by the owner to be donated for temple construction and is recognized as temple land under Section 33(1) and as temple property under the Sangha Act of 1962. It is also considered land acquired by the temple through means other than legal transactions, as per Ministry Regulation No. 7 (1954) under the Land Code Act of 1954, Article 9(3). Once the temple is established as a legal entity, it can register the land title as “transferred to the temple.”
The Office of National Buddhism therefore urged the Khon Kaen governor to expedite related agencies to change the land title ownership to align with the court ruling and the Department of Lands’ legal opinion, ensuring the stability of Buddhism and proper management of the temple’s religious property.
Next month, the director of the Office of National Buddhism and his team will visit Wat Nong Waeng Royal Monastery again to discuss Buddhist affairs and follow up on this case, believing the process will proceed smoothly without issues.
Regarding the heirs’ claim of having crucial evidence that could cause shockwaves, at this time there is nothing to worry about. The temple side adheres firmly to legal correctness and evidence. Questions about the heirs’ use of Mr. Hiang’s signature should be directed to the land office officials, and it is best to allow the land officers to consult with relevant government agencies.
About the fee for changing the land title to the temple’s name and transferring ownership, the director of the Office of National Buddhism said that by law, the fee is only 0.01% of the appraised value, about 7,000 baht, not 1.5 million baht as some groups have claimed. He warned the public not to be deceived by those soliciting donations.
Mr. Khajornkiat Rakpanichmanee, Khon Kaen governor, said that after receiving the letter, he acknowledged that he could not specify how long the process would take but confirmed that all parties must follow legal procedures and steps.
Regarding whether the family can oppose the change of ownership, he said the matter is already under litigation. The temple filed the request with the Khon Kaen land office last Friday, but he could not say whether opposition is possible, as that would be taking sides.
At Wat Pa Adunyararam, the atmosphere remains peaceful, with close devotees and relatives offering food to the abbot. The abbot is very cautious about the food, consuming only offerings from close relatives to prevent unexpected harm. Police officers conduct hourly sign-in patrols at the red box following recent visits by devotees taking photos and checking in after the temple became a news topic.