Bangkok:The Democrat Party is raising concerns over a land sale scandal in Bueng Khu Bon, which may have unfairly benefited a former advisor to the Bangkok governor.
According to Thai News Agency, the Democrat Party spokesperson criticized the transactions surrounding the Bueng Khubon area, which were conducted during a project review period until its cancellation on June 2, 2026. The land sale activities have raised questions about their legitimacy and potential links to a political appointee.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, a spokesperson for the Democrat Party, emphasized the importance of developing Bung Khubon in the Khan Na Yao and Khlong Sam Wa districts of Bangkok into a flood control basin. He warned that without such development, the surrounding areas could face severe flooding.
The Democrat Party's investigation revealed that the land sale project began in 2017 but was delayed by the enactment of the Land Expropriation Act in 2019. Despite nearing a royal decree for land expropriation in 2022-2023, the project faced another review in 2023 due to suspicious land ownership transfers. This led to the purchase of 41 rai and 1 ngan of land during the review period.
The Drainage Office recommended the project's cancellation on June 2, 2024, but management continued to review the decision. Further purchases of 12 rai of land occurred in July 2024, with transactions continuing until the project's final cancellation in June 2026.
The Democrat Party has expressed the need for a thorough investigation into the transactions, as they involve a real estate company with ties to a former Bangkok governor's advisor. Although officials claim proper procedures were followed, suspicions persist about undisclosed information being shared with the real estate company. The party plans to discuss the issue with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to push for the creation of water retention areas.
Lieutenant Colonel Pongsakorn also cited Democrat Party leader Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva's acknowledgment of water depletion issues in Bangkok, advocating for open discussions to address the problem.
Ms. Vivian Chulamon, deputy spokesperson of the Democrat Party, highlighted public support for developing Khubon Swamp into a water retention basin. Complaints from residents have been submitted to the Prime Minister, urging restoration of the swamp as a reservoir.
Ms. Vivian noted that while housing development is not inherently wrong, it should align with the need for water retention areas to ensure urban growth and flood prevention coexist effectively.