Nakhon pathom: The Supreme Administrative Court has confirmed the Central Administrative Court's ruling that prevents the Treasury Department from registering Phutthamonthon land as state property. This decision is rooted in a legal dispute initiated by the National Office of Buddhism against the Treasury Department and its Nakhon Pathom Area Treasury Office. The lawsuit challenged the Department's attempt to register the Phutthamonthon land under the 2019 State Property Act, arguing that such actions were illegal.
According to Thai News Agency, the court clarified that Phutthamonthon is a Buddhist site established for the religious benefit of Buddhism. The land is recognized as property of the Buddhist religion, not affiliated with any specific temple, and is therefore categorized as central religious property under the relevant sections of the Sangha Act of 1941 and the Sangha Act of 1962. The National Office of Buddhism holds responsibility for its upkeep, management, and ownership. Consequently, the land is legally exempt from being classified as state property under the State Property Act B.E. 2562.
The court found that the Treasury Department's actions, through the Nakhon Pathom Area Treasury Office, including instructing the National Office of Buddhism to survey and map the Phutthamonthon land for state registration, were unlawful. The Central Administrative Court had previously ruled to prevent the registration of the 2,500 rai of land in Phutthamonthon as state property, dismissing other claims. The Supreme Administrative Court's decision to uphold this ruling reinforces the protection of the Phutthamonthon land under religious property laws.