Wat Pa Chanachai clarifies it has not encroached on Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) land and is in the process of obtaining permission. It emphasizes no houses have been built for sale, only monastic residences donated to the temple. A briefing is scheduled for 21 February 2026, with Phra Ajarn Chaiwat ready to address all concerns.
Following an inspection of Wat Pa Chanachai meditation center, Arya Village, International Mind Care Buddhist Center, and Pha Chanachai in Nong Yang Suea subdistrict, Muak Lek district, overlapping Wang Muang district, Saraburi province, by officials from the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and related agencies, reports emerged that the area had been encroached upon Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) land.Newshad been reported.
Recently, on the Facebook page of Kruba Chaiwat, Wat Pa Chanachai meditation center in Saraburi province, monks and volunteer lawyers were authorized to clarify via Facebook and present additional information as follows.
On 18 February 2025, after the search was completed, Phra Kongkiat Thanuttaro, a temple monk, posted a video with the temple’s volunteer lawyer explaining that misunderstandings had arisen regarding the land used by the Kruba Chaiwat for Peace Foundation and offered three factual clarifications.
1. It is not encroachment but ALRO land consisting of degraded forest and land reform area, not pristine forest. The land was graciously donated by villagers holding ALRO 4-01 rights who voluntarily relinquished their rights to dedicate the land for establishing a meditation center for public benefit.
2. The foundation is in the process of legally obtaining land use permission. Fully aware of legal requirements, they are currently applying to the Agricultural Land Reform Office to change the land’s status to a public benefit site according to official procedures.
3. No houses are being built for sale, only monastic residences donated to the temple. The foundation confirms there is no commercial business or sales of housing. The structures are meditation dwellings built through public donations and are religious property, not private ownership.
The foundation affirms its integrity in upholding Buddhism and welcomes continuous investigation to establish accurate understanding.
The foundation’s volunteer lawyer announced that on 21 February 2026 at 14:00, media are invited to a press conference where Phra Ajarn Chaiwat will answer all questions from journalists.
Today, the Facebook page of Kruba Chaiwat, Wat Pa Chanachai meditation center in Saraburi, posted an additional statement respectfully explaining that the land currently under scrutiny was voluntarily donated by villagers authorized to use it, who willingly relinquished their rights to the Kruba Chaiwat Foundation for use in Buddhist activities and for the benefit of the community and the public.
All actions have been conducted transparently and correctly, driven by faith. There has been no sale or commercial leasing of land as reported, nor any encroachment. The development and construction of the meditation center has been based on voluntary cooperation with the community.
The construction of the monastic dwellings and other buildings results from the faith and goodwill of donors wishing to support a meditation center that serves both Thai and international Buddhists, providing a suitable place for study and practice.
The foundation reaffirms its sincere intention to preserve Buddhism and benefit society with complete honesty and transparency.
They thank everyone for understanding and reporting the facts accurately.
A subsequent post clarified that the temple construction is underway with proper procedures in progress.
Wat Pa Chanachai meditation center (formerly known as Pa Rak Raksa Jai) has submitted official documents to request government land use for the lawful and complete construction of the temple according to legal procedures.
The landowner has approved and voluntarily donated approximately 9 rai within the mountain area for the official establishment and construction of the temple; this process is ongoing.
These actions are fully transparent, comply with regulations, and aim to benefit Buddhism, the community, and the public at large.
This announcement is made for general public awareness.