Lawyer Ananchai petitions 'Big Tao' to investigate Phra Chaiwat along with the foundation's financial network, seeking legal action against seven groups linked to SPK land encroachment.
On 18 Feb 2026, the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), led by Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pangkaew, together with the Royal Forest Department, the SPK Office, and the National Office of Buddhism, jointly inspected the SPK land occupied by the meditation retreat Chana Jai, led by Phra Chaiwat Akkachayo, also known as Kruba Chaiwat. Having been ordained for only two rainy seasons, he was found to have encroached on SPK land, cutting trees and destroying forests, constructing a meditation center, and inviting people to buy monk's quarters at 500,000 baht each. They also built monks' quarters and filled land to make roads over more than 100 rai, covering a total of 2,000 rai. Subsequently, on 19 Mar 2023, Phra Rajwachirasuthi, abbot of Wat Srisutthawas Royal Monastery and the Dhamma Yut provincial chief monk of Loei, ordered the temple authorities to address the matter within seven days, with the deadline falling on 26 Feb 2026.
Later, Phra Chaiwat gave an interview, notably on the 'Hon Krasae' program, stating that all construction, fundraising, and activities were conducted under the name of the Kruba Chaiwat for Peace Foundation.
Lawyer Ananchai Chayadej, known as Lawyer Ananchai, submitted complaints to Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pangkaew. The Thongtham Lawyer Foundation then examined the registration of the Kruba Chaiwat for Peace Foundation and found it was registered on 20 Dec 2024 with eight board members, including Phra Jirayudet Thammavanich as chairman and Rear Admiral Wisnuson Srikanchan as vice chairman and secretary.
According to Phra Chaiwat's interview, the approximately 2,000-rai encroachment on SPK land involved not only him but also the Kruba Chaiwat for Peace Foundation, which is managed by eight board members. Following this, the Thongtham Lawyer Foundation filed a complaint with Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pangkaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, requesting prosecution of Kruba Chaiwat and all involved foundation board members.
The Thongtham Lawyer Foundation noted media reports that electric poles have been installed by private companies in the area, with land filling and forest destruction, particularly of the Katin Pa tree, which in the past had been seeded across the area by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in collaboration with the military via aerial sowing. Various other trees have also been planted. There has been construction of a meditation center, monks' quarters, and large plantings of bamboo in a Japanese style. Such actions suggest this could not have been done by one person alone. Therefore, the foundation filed complaints to investigate all involved individuals and to take legal action if violations are found. Those individuals include:
1. Phra Chaiwat Akkachayo, also known as Kruba Chaiwat.
2. The Kruba Chaiwat for Peace Foundation and all related board members.
3. Officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority.
4. Private electrical installation contractors.
5. Officials from the Saraburi Provincial Office of Agricultural Land Reform involved.
6. Construction contractors responsible for building structures and roads and cutting trees on the site.
7. Other individuals involved.
Regarding Phra Jirayudet Thammavanich, chairman of the Kruba Chaiwat for Peace Foundation board, an investigation is underway to identify his temple affiliation. The Thongtham Lawyer Foundation plans to request a disciplinary inquiry for him as well, similar to the inquiry filed against Phra Chaiwat on 24 Feb 2026. The foundation submitted a letter requesting a disciplinary investigation of Phra Chaiwat for claiming state land as his own and cutting trees, especially Katin Pa trees, which are state property. This constitutes encroachment on forest and SPK land and breaches monastic discipline, including the offense of theft (Atinnatha) and other monastic offenses.
