DSI to summons Tan Thaugsuban over 'land grab'

Director of the DSI’s Bureau of Consumer Protection and Environment Crime, Lt Colonel Prawuth Wongseenin, said a DSI investigation team and prosecutors had studied claims of illegal deed issuing and decided to take action after the three suspects twice postponed giving testimony.

 

A summons would be issued on Monday against Tan and business associates from the Ruengpanya Construction partnership, Pongchai Fahthaweeporn and Samart Ruengsri.

 

Prawuth said the probe found the three suspects had illegally used the forest, as per the Forest Act BE2484 and the Land Code Act. The DSI would call on Tan to answer the allegations on Monday, and Pongchai and Samart on Tuesday.

 

“The investigation focused only on deed No 28109 in Mae-Nam district, Koh Samui, but evidence is in the process of being compiled on other plots,” Prawuth said.

 

“Further, investigation officials found a reservoir built on Khao Phaeng Mountain is obstructing a public creek. This could be another example of trespassing on a public place, so the investigation team is seeking more evidence about this,” Prawuth said.

 

Officials said the Khao Phaeng mountain plot originally covered only 24 rai, according to the Sor Khor 1 land document. But when Ruengpanya Construction bought it from the ex-owner, it was transferred to Noe Sor 3 Kor and the plot of land grew to 48 rai. In 2000-2001, they said Ruengpanya Construction sold the land to Tan and the deed recorded the plot’s size at up to 64 rai.