Anti-corruption junta on Phuket: seriousness or theatre?
The Sirinat affair is the litmus test for the NCPO (junta) to prove that it is serious about fighting corruption, writes Veera Prateepchaikul in its weekly column Think Pragmatic in Bangkok Post.
It is only a small national park, Sirinat: 90 square kilometers, of which 22 km on land and 68 in the sea, but very popular with eager project developers because of its beautiful beaches. And also very popular to become a park head because of the 'extra earnings'.
It is therefore no coincidence that five former park heads can count on a disciplinary investigation and possibly even criminal prosecution. An estimated 3.000 rai of the park has been stolen and built on with five-star hotels, holiday complexes and villas that only the super-rich can afford. Various officials and a former governor are also involved in this scandal.
Until now, it could all happen with impunity. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) filed dozens of reports with local law enforcement, but none made it to court. Veera writes that this does not come as a surprise to the people of Phuket, because they have long known who is in charge in the province: the law or the big money.
The previous park head Cheewaphap Cheewatham was transferred in May at his own request. He refused 30 million baht in bribes to make 300 rai national park disappear on paper in return. His successor Kittipat Tharapiban and his five assistants also recently applied for a transfer, but the environment minister persuaded them. He has promised that they will receive protection from the military.
That Kittipat wanted to pull his slats was purely out of self-preservation because he was responsible for the eviction of 41 small businesses from three beaches and he opposed the application for title deeds for 500 rai in the park by five [unnamed] persons. Those applications were handled by officials [I assume from the Land Department].
Fortunately, the park head and the DNP are no longer alone. They now receive help from the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Department of Special Investigation (the Thai FBI), the Royal Thai Navy, the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the junta's anti-corruption commission.
'It encroachment problem in Sirinat National Park is a test of NCPO's resolve. We'll see if her statement to end illegally used forest land is real or just for show', Veera concludes his illuminating and disconcerting account of the Phuket park mess.
(Source: Bangkok Post, Sept. 22, 2014)