A task force responsible for cracking down on land encroachment yesterday raided a golf course and nearby race track illegally built on 151 rai of forest land in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district.
Deputy permanent secretary for justice Dussadee Arayawuth, who led the raid, said the land and facilities are owned unlawfully by Bonanza Golf and Country Club Co.
The task force comprised officials from the Justice Ministry, the Second Army, the Royal Forestry Department (RFD), the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the Department of Special Investigation.
The probe into alleged encroachment began after authorities received complaints from locals, Pol Col Dussadee said.
Businessman Phaiwong Techanarong owns the golf course and race track project, known as "Bonanza Khao Yai".
The golf course, the race track and other buildings were constructed on land issued with unlawful deeds. Of the 150 rai the project covers, a block of 72 rai has Sor Por Kor deeds, 32 rai has forest reserve deeds and 47 rai uses Nor Sor 3 Kor deeds, he said.
The PACC will investigate the state officials who issued the documents, Pol Col Dussadee said.
Satellite images reveal the encroachment began in 1974. Some of the land on which the race track was built is designated for public use, while the rest is built on parts of Khao Siad-a national forest reserve.
The RFD will lodge a formal complaint with police over the encroachment and petition the DSI to investigate whether influential figures are involved, he said.
Col Sommai Busaba, who heads the Second Army's legal team, said authorities also found areas surrounding the golf course and race track had been bought by business groups and nominees of politicians who wanted to get hold of the land before the arrival of the high-speed train that will run through the province.
He said between 1993 and 2006, Bonanza expanded the areas of land it occupied into forests where the golf course and race track were constructed.
Phathamon Techanarong, a daughter of Mr Phaiwong, said she was confident her family had done nothing wrong and backed up her claim with copies of deeds for the land. She said the original documents were kept in Bangkok.
However, if it is proved later the land encroachment allegations are true, her family will dismantle the buildings and return the land to the state, Ms Phathamon said.
Arak Techanarong, a younger brother of Mr Phaiwong, said he works as a legal adviser to the family and was not aware the deeds for the land plots were unlawfully issued when they were bought from locals.
Khachen Yaisoon, chief of tambon Khanong Phra administration organisation, said no permission has been granted to construct the Bonanza racing circuit.
He refused to comment on why the facility has existed for so long without local authorities taking any action.