Forestland encroachment charges against TV show host Kiat, wife dropped
Police have dropped charges of forestland encroachment against well-known TV show host Kiat Kitchareon and his wife. Charges are now being pressed only against the seller of the land.
On Saturday, a Facebook page, “Chiang Mai Khun Mai Koey Hen” (Chiang Mai in an aspect you have not seen), posted the story and then removed it.
When reporters followed up on the information, they found it dated back around eight years ago.
In 2012, officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation had visited Chiang Mai, after local police had been informed about suspected encroachment of forest areas in Mae Lao - Mae Sae Wildlife Sanctuary and Mae Tang forest reserve.
An investigation showed several people involved in the alleged encroachment, including prominent TV celebrity and his wife – Kanokwan Kitchareon. The couple had reportedly bought 713 rai (114.08 hectares).
The chief of the wildlife sanctuary – Romyen Thongsibsong – updated that Mae Tang officers later decided to drop the charges against Kiat and Kanokwan.
According to a document dated October 1, 2020, police has charged Apirak Patraphan, who had sold the lands to the TV host and his wife.
Kiat and Kanokwan had informed police that they did not know the lands they had bought were illegal.