DSI eyes influence behind Wang Nam Kheow invasion

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.