"Pa Da-Heir" Introduce New Advisor, Moving to Fix the "First Button" in Wat Pa Adulyaram Probe! Insisting "Did Not Kill Anyone," Slams Mass Hysteria Society, Heading to Crime Suppression Division with Evidence

Today (Aug 27) at 9:30 AM at Asawin Grand Convention Hotel, Ms. Chommanee Noichan, also known as “Pa Da,” along with Mrs. Buakhai Sorsamut, heir of Mr. Hiang Phimsri, and Mr. Woradet Changbu, advisor to Mrs. Buakhai’s estate administrator, held a joint press conference to address the appointment of the abbot of Wat Pa Adulyaram.

Mr. Woradet stated regarding the dispute over the construction of Wat Pa Adulyaram that he was invited by Mrs. Buakhai to serve as the estate administrator's advisor, responsible for providing information, answering media questions, and offering opinions on the issues. He affirmed he would speak based on facts—calling right as right and wrong as wrong—and was ready to let the court decide.

Prior to the press conference, he expressed confidence in his information due to his experience auditing temple matters, citing a land dispute case involving a deserted temple in Trat Province as a case study. Regardless of whether he receives appropriate compensation, he does not mind, having agreed with Mrs. Buakhai that if he faces prosecution for releasing information, Mrs. Buakhai, as the assignor, must share responsibility.

Regarding Wat Pa Adulyaram, Mr. Woradet raised doubts about reports indicating an abbot had been appointed since 1992, even though the official declaration establishing the temple occurred in 1998. He questioned how an abbot could be appointed when no temple existed in 1992. He noted that the normal process requires a nomination from the sub-district monastic secretary to the sub-district head monk and provincial head monk respectively, making it necessary to verify if the nomination and appointment were proper, while also questioning the authenticity of the appointment certificate.

Furthermore, he questioned the construction process, noting that under ministerial regulations, completing a temple requires submitting layout plans detailing locations, buildings, pavilions, meeting halls, monks' quarters, and various areas along with accompanying photographs to the Sangha Supreme Council before official establishment. He requested verification of whether Wat Pa Adulyaram’s 1998 layouts and photographs were compiled and processed through these channels. He also asked why these documents and photos were inaccessible due to claims of being "confidential," calling on relevant agencies to clarify which law or regulation classifies them as secret, as revealing the images would help address doubts regarding the temple's construction at the time.

Mr. Woradet presented photos of the temple grounds, pointing out that the site appeared abandoned, covered with trees, with damaged perimeter walls and evidence of tree cutting. He asked why a properly established temple would be in such condition and demanded the release of the 1998 photos and documents to establish the facts.

Regarding the land issue, Mr. Woradet explained that donating land to build a temple and transferring land ownership to a temple are separate legal steps. Donating land as monastic property requires legal procedures and approval under Section 84. In this case, it was claimed that land was donated to build a temple, with ownership to be registered after completion. Therefore, it must be verified whether temple construction in 1998 was fully completed according to law before addressing ownership rights. If the 1998 establishment was proper, the heirs are ready to accept it, but if improper, it must be investigated.

An additional issue raised concerned the abbot giving temple land to the municipality for road construction, or claims of government agencies and private entities using the land. He stated that if it is temple land, the abbot cannot give it away at will; proper procedures and compensation for monastic property must be arranged. If the abbot's appointment was improper, using the land in this manner requires even deeper investigation, potentially involving Sections 151 and 157, though he emphasized these were suspicions for the judicial process to determine.

Regarding the land title deed, the heirs previously requested to inspect it but were informed by the abbot that the deed was not at the temple, but at the National Office of Buddhism. This led to questions about the title deed's current location and why the heirs, as rightful estate claimants, could not inspect it. He reiterated that the press conference was not intended to reclaim the land; if investigations show the temple was legally established, the heirs will accept it. However, if errors occurred in appointing the abbot, building the temple, or managing the land, corrective actions must be taken.

When reporters asked about the key evidence, Mr. Woradet emphasized that it was the unlawful appointment of the abbot. He stated he was not disputing the Royal Gazette, but believed documents were falsified. He expressed confidence that the nomination form was improper, which affects the validity of the temple's establishment, saying he puts "his neck on the line" for this matter. Asked why the heirs did not consult legal matters with his attorney daughter, Mr. Woradet replied, "My daughter is no match for her father. Today, take the documents straight to the abbot. If I'm wrong, I'll go to jail."

Meanwhile, Pa Da stated she had requested documents from the National Office of Buddhism on two issues: complete inspection and construction records for the temple, and petition letters sent through the Privy Council Office. To date, she has not received them despite following up over 20 times, raising suspicion that documents are being withheld to prevent the truth from emerging. She affirmed the heirs do not intend to attack the temple but want to verify its legality, urging the Prime Minister and relevant agencies to inspect from the first step.

If everything proves legal, the heirs are ready to accept it, requesting that evidence and law be the deciding factors rather than condemning the heirs. She called for verification of who is right or wrong, leaving a message to those attacking her: "When the truth comes out, prepare for karma, because I will not let this slide. I am not attacking the temple, but seeking truth and proof." She stressed inspecting from the "first button," applying land law alongside ministerial regulations, especially after her family was accused of being a "hired mob" despite fighting over the land and property for over 20 years.

Following this, the heirs will file a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division to prosecute those involved in forging documents, as their primary concern remains whether the abbot was properly appointed and if it is a legitimate temple. She also questioned Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilpraphunt on his silence while citizens suffer, stating she plans to meet him soon.

Toward the end of the press conference, when asked if she had met with police following the summons in Khon Kaen Province, Pa Da responded that she had not killed anyone and asked reporters not to question her repeatedly about it. She stated whether she goes or not can be discussed directly with the police without issue, and she will inform the public if she goes. However, she emphasized that the media must investigate where right and wrong lie, rather than simply criticizing the heirs, commenting that Thai society behaves like a mass hysteria, agreeing and condemning blindly without seeking the truth of who is right or wrong, or what is real or fake.

Photo : Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong