The Governor of the State Railways of Thailand, Veeris Ammarapala, has resigned, effective October 30, after being in the office since September 19 last year.
According to Chirut Visarnchit, chairman of the SRT’s board, Veeris tendered his resignation on September 29, claiming that he wants to look after his aging parents and parents in law, adding that the board has already approved his resignation.
It is speculated, however, that Veeris has been under heavy political pressure since he signed an order, on September 29, for the SRT to proceed with litigation against claimants of two land plots, 3466 and 8564, at Khao Kradueng in the Muang district in Buri Ram province.
The claimants include members of the Chidchob family, whose patriarch, Newin, is reputed to be the de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai party, according to an SRT source.
The Khao Kradueng land scandal has pitted the Bhumjaithai party against the Pheu Thai party, with the previous Pheu Thai-led government attempting, albeit without much success, to wrestle approximately 800 hectares of land back to the SRT from many claimants, including Chidchob family members, who occupy about 80 hectares which have been developed into a soccer stadium and motorcycle racing circuit.
The Supreme Court has already ruled that the Khao Kradueng land belongs to the SRT, but the Land Department has, for years, been reluctant to enforce the court’s ruling, prompting the Pheu Thai party to step in and order the Department of Special Investigation to launch a probe.
