BKK Post, March 17, 1998. SALWEEN S

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March 17, 1998. SALWEEN SCANDAL

Prawat was part of the scam, says Pongpol 
Official sheds tears on hearing allegation 
Chakrit Ridmontri

The deputy forestry chief at the centre of the five-million-baht bribery 
scandal colluded with illegal loggers, the agriculture minister said 
yesterday.

Prawat Thanadkha abused his authority in helping the illegal ring, said 
Pongpol Adireksarn, citing results of an investigation he had ordered 
into the bribe and logging in the Salween national park and wildlife 
sanctuary.

Mr Prawat was further accused of violating the civil service code by 
taking money meant as a bribe direct to the prime minister without 
informing his superiors and refusing to identify the donor.

"Mr Prawat's behaviour has contravened the standards of honour and 
integrity expected of a civil servant," said Mr Pongpol. "He abused his 
authority to facilitate the illicit operation. His action amounts to a 
serious violation of the civil service code."

The investigation, led by Prasert Suekwatana, inspector-general, spent 
almost a month interviewing 14 officials, including Mr Prawat, and 
gathering evidence to back its findings that there are grounds to the 
charges against Mr Prawat.

Citing the investigation's summary report, Mr Pongpol said the 
bribe-giver wanted Mr Prawat, who led a deforestation suppression unit, 
to facilitate logging.

Mr Pongpol declined to reveal details of the evidence on which the 
fact-finding committee based its conclusion. He became annoyed when 
asked to reveal the evidence and stressed Mr Prawat was, for now, 
presumed innocent. Another committee, to be chaired by Suthiporn 
Chirapanda, deputy permanent secretary, will look further into the 
charge with a view to disciplinary action against Mr Prawat.

Before Mr Pongpol made his remarks, Mr Prawat took a seat in the 
conference room but was asked to leave by an aide to the minister. A 
disappointed Mr Prawat left and sat alone in another office and watched 
the conference live on television.

Asked to respond to Mr Pongpol's remarks, Mr Prawat, shaken and with 
tears in his eyes, continued to protest his innocence. "I don't 
understand why they keep after me relentlessly," he said. "I have no 
objection if they judge me a wrongdoer but please be transparent and 
reveal all relevant evidence to back their conclusion."

He would fight to the end to prove his innocence.

Mr Suthiporn said his disciplinary panel would begin work today and 
expected to spend up to a month gathering evidence that would include 
the results of the police and Interior Ministry investigations.

Mr Prawat may not be called to testify, said Mr Suthiporn, whose panel 
would decide whether the official should stay or go.

The police investigation into the scandal has widened to include Somchai 
Piansathporn, director of the Forestry Department's forest protection 
office. Police have already interrogated nine of his subordinates.

Mr Somchai said he assumed his job last December and knew nothing of 
kickbacks. He was said to be among the forestry officials who seized the 
13,000 teak logs found in Saha Vanakit Sawmill Co owned by Vinai 
Panichayanuban in Tak province.

Police are prepared to issue a warrant for Saowanee, wife of Mr Vinai, 
tomorrow. Pol Maj-Gen Wasana Permlarp, deputy commissioner of the 
Central Investigation Bureau, is expected to summon Mr Prawat and Mr 
Vinai to face charges in two weeks, police said.

At the Interior Ministry, the other committee looking into the Salween 
scandal is expected to submit its findings to the prime minister today.

Committee members remain reticent but say there are wrongdoers in all 
concerned agencies and most of them are guilty of negligence. Officials 
being questioned include border patrol police, local administration, 
forestry, customs and military officials.

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