Thailand's DSI Eyes Influence Behind Wang Nam Kheow Invasion

[webfact]

DSI eyes influence behind Wang Nam Kheow invasion

By THE NATION

The Department of Special investigation (DSI) will investigate and take legal action against developers and influential people who have used their clout to encroach on forest reserves in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Kheow district.

The move comes after the Royal Forest Department found that the Phuluang National Park was being encroached upon by high-level officials, wealthy people and a colonel. These people obviously used their influence to force officials to let them build structures and private homes in the restricted area.

"We are waiting for an official letter from the RFD before we start investigating," DSI deputy director-general Sansern Parnwatwichai said, adding that the issue would also be taken to the Office of the Attorney-General.

"We want to study this case carefully, so we can take action against the real wrongdoers," he said.

DSI is also monitoring the procedures being conducted by the RFD and Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) before legal action can be taken.

RFD inspector Witoon Chalainanawin, who is leading the working group, said the department had already sent an official letter to DSI as well as to the Agricultural Land Reform Office asking for details on the agriculture land-reform boundaries in Wang Nam Kheow district.

"We need to study the location of each plot granted under the land-reform process before the RFD director-general can officially order us to enforce the law and demolish the resorts," he said.

"Everyone in Wang Nam Kheow knows the person who used his influence to encroach into the forest reserve and divide the land before selling it off to other people. This is why DSI needs to take action," he added.

Meanwhile, officers at the |Pho Klang police station in Nakhon Ratchasima's Muang district filed |a complaint against RFD officials, asking them to stop telling |the media they had helped take action against the forest-reserve invaders.

-- The Nation 2011-09-01

[hanuman2543]

"Everyone in Wang Nam Kheow knows the person who used his influence to encroach into the forest reserve and divide the land before selling it off to other people. This is why DSI needs to take action," he added.

And why didn't he tell everybody the name and why the DSI or the RTP did not take any action till now??? Too much influence? :huh:

[GazR]

Come on, play the game: give us the usual 'Mr.S' type teaser or the initials.

Edited September 1, 2011 by GazR

[Pib]

These people obviously used their influence to force officials to let them build structures and private homes in the restricted area.

Oh give me a break!!..above statement makes it sound like the govt officials were pure of heart. The only force used, if you can call it force, was tea money paid to govt officials to look the other way.

[OzMick]

I love the last paragraph - police upset because it is reported they are assisting the investigation. Could the colonel be police?

[Foggy Bottom]

I love the last paragraph - police upset because it is reported they are assisting the investigation. Could the colonel be police?

Korat city's Tambon Pho Klang includes a large army barracks and an Air Force base within it's perimeter ... could be a hint in that.

Both army and air force groups are known to be regular mass-bookers of resorts in Wang Nam Khieo - usually taking over entire resorts for weekends of R&R

It could be that the Pho Klang police are involved in dirt digging against the other uniformed services.

Another issue there (Pho Klang) is that the majority of the land within the tambon is non-chanote land supposedly given in small plots to retiring servicemen to build homes ... although a lot of near-mansion status houses have been springing up there.

Possibly the Wang Nam Khieo encroachments have revealed irregularities in the "retirement" lands of Pho Klang?

edit: to add - Korat city also has a rural village Tambon Phon Krang, which is pronounced almost identically locally, though they are on opposite sides of the Muang.

Edited September 1, 2011 by Foggy Bottom