Investigators gather at Wat Pa Chana Jai in Saraburi province on Feb 18 following complaints that the monastery encroached on land-reform areas. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)The Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) has instructed its provincial offices nationwide to intensify inspections of land use and take legal action against those occupying or exploiting reform land unlawfully. Authorities found that Wat Pa Chana Jai had been using reform land to host concerts, as well as to build monastic residences and meditation huts that it sold to followers. Consequently, Alro has launched a major operation to reclaim state assets and restore reform land to its intended beneficiaries — farmers. Alro insisted reform land is strictly for farmers and warned that anyone exploiting it for personal or commercial gain will face legal consequences without exception.

Source: Bangkok Post February 21, 2026 12:55 UTC