The inspection stemmed from complaints that a politician had taken over land in a national forest in Tambon Huai Haeng.

Although it was initially found that the plots had NS-3K (Nor Sor Sam Gor) certificates confirming right to possession of land that had not been officially surveyed, the total area covered had expanded from 152 to 515 rai, Justice Ministry deputy permanent secretary Pol Colonel Dusadee Arayawuth said.

He said the area identified in SK-1 (Sor Kor Nung) claim certificates had been expanded when they were used to upgrade the documentation to NS-3K status.

Citing one instance, he said SK-1 Certificate 264 covered 12 rai, but when upgraded to NS-3K Certificate 1323, the area was 61 rai. Dusadee said the same happened with all the plots, increasing total space stated in the NS-3K certificates to 515 rai, up from 152 rai as given in the SK-1 documents.

The SK-1 certificates had initially been issued to local residents and indicated all of the land had been used for growing rice since 1947, Dusadee said. But aerial photographs taken in 1953 and 1975 show only forest. The area is with a national forest, he said.

Dusadee planned to have the Office of Public Sector Ant-Corruption Commission investigate.

Dusadee said the plots were given NS-3K status on September 15, 1982 while in the name of Laem Pichai Mining Co Ltd. They were then sold to Chada’s son Farut on April 29, 2011. Ownership was transferred to Chada on December 19, 2015, after Farut died.

Chada has reportedly filed for a fresh mining permit for the property to replace the original that has expired. His application is now being processed by the Industry Ministry.

Chada is no stranger to controversy. On May 27 around 100 policemen, both in uniform and plainclothes, intercepted an eight-vehicle convoy on an Uthai Thani road and detained Chada and four members of his entourage overnight for allegedly carrying firearms in public without permission. They were released on bail the next day.