Police summon woman over alleged role in blocking temple entrance

Police have summoned a woman who is leading a campaign over ownership of disputed land used by Pa Adulyaram Temple in Khon Kaen to acknowledge a trespassing charge over allegations that she was involved in blocking the temple’s entrance.

Khon Kaen police said investigators had issued a summons for Chommanee Noichan, known locally as “Aunt Da”, to report to them on August 27.

Investigators have already questioned several witnesses, including a concrete mixer-truck driver, his assistant and staff from a builders’ supply shop. Police are also preparing to summon the drivers of two vans and their passengers to provide information.

The case is part of a long-running dispute over ownership of a 3.36-hectare plot of land, which Chommanee claims belongs to her family, while the temple maintains that it was donated for use by the temple and that it has legitimate rights to the property.

The dispute escalated after construction materials were brought in to block the temple’s entrance. Chommanee reportedly said in an interview that she would have workers dismantle the temple’s walls, prompting police to deploy officers to protect the temple.

Meanwhile, Prof Tongthong Chandransu, chairman of the National Committee for the Protection of Buddhism, visited the temple on Sunday evening and met Phra Khru Adulsarnanit, the abbot, to offer moral support and inquire about his health.

The abbot was earlier reported to have fallen ill amid continued pressure over the dispute.

Prof Tongthong later told reporters that the visit was intended to reassure the abbot that the temple’s right to use the disputed plot had been established “in principle”.

Only the formal legal process of transferring the title deed to the temple remains, he said.

He added that he and the delegation would meet the Khon Kaen governor on Monday to discuss and coordinate efforts to resolve the dispute and ensure that the legal procedures are completed as smoothly and quickly as possible.

He said this would help ease concerns among Buddhists nationwide who have been following the dispute.