Village Head Accuses Chief of Tree-Felling Corruption

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

A village headman in Krabi has filed a formal complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), accusing a local government leader of unlawfully authorising the felling and sale of trees on public land.

Mr Decha Prabphet, head of Village 3 in Taling Chan Subdistrict, Nuea Khlong District, submitted the complaint to the NACC’s Krabi office. He called for an investigation into Mr Wahet Rawangcha, the Mayor of the Taling Chan Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO), over his alleged role in hiring a contractor to cut down and sell valuable trees without public consultation.

The trees, eucalyptus, white samet and other mixed hardwoods, were located on more than 50 rai of communal land in the Nong Thale area. Mr Decha claimed that the contractor removed the felled trees under the cover of night, raising suspicions of corruption and potential profit-sharing between the contractor and the mayor.

According to Mr Decha, prior discussions about improving the land had never included cutting down large trees. He argued that clearing the site in this manner violated the public interest and undermined community consensus.

In response, Mr Wahet defended the project as a legitimate land improvement initiative. He said the SAO had allocated a budget of 90,000 baht to hire a contractor to convert the area into a public park for recreation and exercise. Mr Wahet insisted he had coordinated with local leaders, including the village headman and had informed them that the contractor would be removing the trees.

He stated that the felled timber was sold to a local sawmill for approximately 40,000 baht. After deducting transportation costs, the contractor reportedly handed over 19,000 baht to the SAO. However, the project is currently on hold, as community leaders have since barred the contractor from re-entering the site.

The case is now under review by the NACC as calls grow for greater transparency and accountability in local development projects.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-02