A man from Khon Kaen filed a complaint against "Pa Da and associates" for defaming the monarchy, citing a royal petition during the lockdown of Wat Pa Adulyaram. Meanwhile, land officials reported the "estate manager" over a request for a replacement title deed, alleging it was lost, while still concerned about the deed's name change issue.
At 11:00 on 18 August 2026 at Wat Pa Adulyaram, Phra Kru Adulsaranithet, the abbot, returned from an invitation outside the temple. Mr. Uthen Ina-i, 53, a Khon Kaen resident and volunteer instructor under Ministry of Interior's special program, came to pay respects and informed the abbot that he would file a complaint against those claiming royal authority appearing in a video of armed men locking the gates of Wat Pa Adulyaram on 10 August 2026. The abbot smiled and gave permission, expressing dissatisfaction with such false claims.
At 13:00 the same day, Mr. Uthen went to Muang Khon Kaen Police Station to file a complaint with Lt. Col. Punnarit Tharananteset, an investigator. He told reporters he was acting as a citizen under the Thai Constitution of 2017, Section 50(1), responding to inappropriate images and words in the widely circulated video. He filed charges against the men claiming royal authority and "Pa Da," as well as others involved in locking the temple gates, under Criminal Code Section 112, supported by video evidence.
Mr. Uthen added that, as a citizen of Khon Kaen and Thailand with rights to protect the nation, religion, and monarchy, he felt uneasy about the incident in Khon Kaen. He questioned the group claiming to have a royal petition, asking them to reveal the petition if real. If not, he said he must file charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
At 14:30 the same day, Mr. Pongsuwat Chaitonchuak, Khon Kaen land officer, accompanied staff who received a report from Ms. Buakai Sorasamut, estate manager for Mr. Hiang Phimsi, who requested a replacement land title deed for a lost document, to file a complaint with Lt. Pongsaravee Onchiew, deputy investigator at Muang Khon Kaen Police Station. They submitted relevant copies of the land deed and application as evidence.
Mr. Pongsuwat said after filing the complaint that he reported the estate manager for falsely claiming the land deed was lost and requesting a replacement. The abbot presented the original deed to officials, leading the Land Office to cancel the replacement process and notify the estate manager of their right to appeal within 15 days, starting 17 August 2026. Meanwhile, the process to change the deed's ownership to Wat Pa Adulyaram proceeds under Section 84 of the Land Code.
Regarding the dispute over land title deed no. 61945 related to Wat Pa Adulyaram in Khon Kaen, the Khon Kaen Land Office is handling two clearly separate matters: prosecuting for false statements to officials and the registration process to change the deed's ownership to the temple. Normally, if a citizen claims a deed is lost, officials record a statement about the loss with two witnesses, then accept the request and announce it for 30 days to allow objections.
In the case of Wat Pa Adulyaram's land, when the estate manager submitted a request for a replacement deed during the 30-day announcement period, the temple's abbot objected and presented the original deed to the Land Office. Officials verified that the deed was not lost as claimed.
The land officer added that since the estate manager filed the replacement request and provided testimony to officials, but the original deed was presented by the temple, the estate manager gave false testimony by claiming the deed was lost. Officials followed normal procedures since they cannot refuse a request. Thus, the Land Office suspects false reporting to officials and filed a complaint for investigation. It is up to investigators to determine the applicable charges and responsibility based on facts and law.
At the same time, Khon Kaen land officers expressed concern about changing the deed's ownership to Wat Pa Adulyaram. They consulted the Department of Lands to confirm procedures, fearing errors due to the case's importance and public interest. Legal experts have differing views on the process, so they sought official confirmation that Khon Kaen Land Office's actions comply with laws and regulations.
The Khon Kaen land officer emphasized that all actions must strictly follow Department of Lands regulations and laws, proceeding carefully to avoid mistakes in the deed name change process, which could cause future problems and complications.
Regarding documents the temple submitted to the Land Office, the supporting papers are sufficient but do not mean an immediate deed name change. Several investigative steps remain, including verifying details about the temple's buildings, the number of monks and novices, and other relevant information for registration. The Land Office's current focus is ensuring every step complies fully with regulations and laws, not just document completeness.
Meanwhile, the Khon Kaen Land Office is monitoring the estate manager's rights following the cancellation of the replacement deed issuance. The estate manager has a 15-day appeal period. The office will follow up on the Department of Lands' confirmation, procedures under Section 84, and the estate manager's appeal, all critical steps toward changing the disputed deed's ownership to Wat Pa Adulyaram.