Ex-National Parks Chief Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn Acquitted of Defamation Charges

Former Chief of the Office of National Parks, Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, who royally stirred up the hornets' nest by instigating a sting operation leading to the arrest of a senior official, today came out victorious from the Criminal Court. He was acquitted of defamation charges levelled against him by Ratchada Suriyakul na Ayutthaya, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

The drama unfolded three years ago, on 27th December 2022, when a staged meeting between Chaiwat and Ratchada took a surprising turn. Chaiwat had allegedly left an envelope containing a handsome 98,000 Baht on Ratchada's table. Cue the surprise - anti-corruption officers swooped into the office, arresting Ratchada on allegations of bribery tied to promotions within his department. It seems they found more dirt in his office — or more specifically, a further three envelopes stashing a bank-breaking 980,000 Baht.

The underlying narrative suggests Ratchada was allegedly using bills to pave promotion paths, demanding hefty sums ranging from 200,000-300,000 Baht from his subordinates. These transactions were purportedly being done in the name of comfortable or lucrative postings, or avoiding tougher assignments.

However, Ratchada bit back, accusing Chaiwat of making false allegations in retaliation. It seems the roles had been reversed, with Chaiwat under investigation over the Chaloem Phra Kiat reforestation project in the Phetchaburi province.

Nonetheless, in a turn of events, the court sided with Chaiwat. The verdict concluded he showed no malice in levelling accusations against Ratchada. The court noted that Chaiwat had lodged a formal complaint with the anti-corruption police, citing disputed transfers within the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

From the courtroom to the newsroom, this acquittal marks Chaiwat's victory in a subtly high-stakes game that unfolded behind closed administrative doors. His next move? To obtain a copy of the verdict and deliver it to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for official record. This case serves as a riveting reminder of the enduring scrutiny on leaders within government offices, particularly when serious allegations surface.

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