Bangkok: “Bhumtham” insists he will not interfere in the Khao Kradong issue, the new Director-General of the Land Department’s duties. Phumtham said that solving the Khao Kradong problem is the responsibility of the “new Director-General of the Land Department,” insisting that he will not interfere and that he can do it as quickly as possible. He denied reports that “Kajonkiat” is ill.

According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, acting Prime Minister, addressed the appointment of Mr. Khajornkiat Rakphanitchmanee as the new Director-General of the Department of Lands. He questioned whether the Director-General’s decision to resolve the Khao Kradong land issue would be handled immediately, or whether a committee would need to be established to investigate. He stated that the matter remains the same, with no cause for concern. It is a matter for the Director-General to address, as is clearly stated in the various orders and conclusions the working group has already reached. He added that the news that the new Director-General is hospitalized and unable to act is untrue. He stated that he will meet with him today, and he must perform his duties.

When asked if there was a time frame for the Director-General of the Land Department to proceed, Mr. Phumtham replied that there wasn’t, and that he should just do his job. He added that the time frame and everything else was already within his duties.

When asked whether, as the person overseeing the Ministry of Interior, he assessed whether the appropriate steps or timing for this matter would take a long time, Mr. Phumtham stated that he had previously said to proceed as quickly as possible and to fully comply with the court order, letting the court know that we had complied. Otherwise, it would be considered contempt of court or failure to perform the duties that should have been performed. It was the responsibility of the Director-General of the Land Department, and he would do it himself. He would not interfere.

When asked if the new Director-General of the Land Department would be able to sign the revocation of the Khao Kradong land title before August 29th, Mr. Phumtham said it could be done as soon as possible.