Panel to probe suspicious land ownership on Krabi’s Nui Nok islet

The Thai Land Department has set up a committee to investigate the alleged illegal issuance of a land title deed for a small plot of land on the uninhabited islet of Nui Nok, in the Koh Lanta district of the southern coastal province of Krabi.

The department has also lodged a complaint with the police in Krabi province against officials and others who were suspected to be involved in the land scam.

Director-general of Land Department Nisit Chansomwong said today (Thursday) that the formation of the investigating committee is intended to uncover the truth behind the issuance of the land tittle deed, covering about 0.8 hectares on the islet, adding that the panel has been given 15 days to finish the probe.

Initial findings show that land certificate, which was used as the basis for the issuance of the land title deed, is not related to the plot on Nui Nok and that the land office in Krabi province has never conducted a land survey on the islet for the purposes of the issuance of land certificates.

The land title deed in question was issued on September 28^th this year and, on October 18^th, the claimant of the land plot sought registration for the sale of the land.

Nisit said that there is no proof that the land plot in question has been utilised, which is a requirement for the issuance of a land title deed.