การศึกษาการค้างชำระค่าเช่าที่ดินการรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย กรณีศึกษา: ชุมชนเทพารักษ์ 4 ตำบลในเมือง อำเภอเมืองขอนแก่น จังหวัดขอนแก่น

Aphiradee Wongsiri; Natthawimon Sonthi; Benchaporn Luangcharern; Wilasinee Sriyaphai; Mana Nakham; Phimakorn Dommongkol

Authors

Aphiradee Wongsiri Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Natthawimon Sonthi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Benchaporn Luangcharern Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Wilasinee Sriyaphai Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Mana Nakham Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Phimakorn Dommongkol Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

Keywords:

การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย, การค้างชำระค่าเช่าที่ดิน, การพัฒนาเมือง

Abstract

Arrears in land-rent payment by the Thepharak 4 community on land owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) led to lease termination and the loss of residential rights. This article explores the causes and consequences of these arrears using a qualitative design with analysis at both household and community levels. Seven key informants were engaged: community leader, community committee members, and household representatives (from the previous round of the State Railway of Thailand leases and from the new round). Data was collected from relevant documents, in-depth interviews, from 13 January to 7 March 2025, and was analyzed thematically. Findings indicate that the community, located on the State Railway of Thailand property and holding a sublease through the Community Organizations Development Institute (Public Organization: CODI), was unable to pay rent on schedule, resulting in lease cancellation and litigation to recover outstanding debts. The arrears were driven by (1) precarious employment and income, (2) limited community management capacity, and (3) a complex rent-collection system. The principal impact was housing insecurity due to the loss of lease rights. Subsequently, when the State Railway of Thailand authorized a contracted company to manage the leases, administrative processes became clearer; the community was able to repay arrears and make timely payments, regain residential rights, and improve relations with the State Railway of Thailand Policy recommendations call for strengthening community security through social welfare and quality-of-life initiatives, and for expanding the research to incorporate perspectives from state agencies, the private sector, and civil society. Such comprehensive evidence would support the design of effective and sustainable solutions to the problem of land-rent arrears.

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