PHUKET: Former DSI Chief Major General Tharit Pengdit, who arrived on Phuket a year ago waving a piece of paper containing the names of the island's alleged ''mafia,'' is now under investigation over alleged encroachment.
Two luxury homes in the investigator's family compound allegedly encroached on national forest reserves.
Locals in Nakhon Ratchasima province found the homes demolished on Monday, apparently as the major general decides to keep a low profile. Government investigators were due to inspect the structures today.
Major General Tharit, in charge of the Department of Special Investigation for several years, was moved on by the National Council for Peace and Order in May.
High hopes were held on August 9 last year when Major General Tharit arrived on Phuket with a team to tell the media that he wanted to ''send a message'' about rip-offs and abuses of tourists.
''Within 30 days, we will lay charges of fraud against one of the people on this list,'' The 11 stood accused of ''abuses,'' he added.
''Stop what you are doing'' was the message, he said. The 11 named were the people who were responsible for some of Phuket's problems, he said.
Not much happened, although the DSI eventually tweaked a couple of taxi ranks gently. Observers thought that waving a list at Phuket International Airport was the action of a publicity seeker, rather than an investigator.
Twelve months on, the DSI is still involved in some investigations but the kinds of sweeping changes that Phuket residents hoped to see back then have come about since the May 22 military takeover that led to action against tuk-tuks and taxis, and a beach clearance of commercial activities.
The major general has let it be known this week that the demolished homes did not belong to his wife Wassamon but to a neighbor who had them demolished as soon as the allegations of encroachment were made.
Two luxury homes in the investigator's family compound allegedly encroached on national forest reserves.
Locals in Nakhon Ratchasima province found the homes demolished on Monday, apparently as the major general decides to keep a low profile. Government investigators were due to inspect the structures today.
Major General Tharit, in charge of the Department of Special Investigation for several years, was moved on by the National Council for Peace and Order in May.
High hopes were held on August 9 last year when Major General Tharit arrived on Phuket with a team to tell the media that he wanted to ''send a message'' about rip-offs and abuses of tourists.
''Within 30 days, we will lay charges of fraud against one of the people on this list,'' The 11 stood accused of ''abuses,'' he added.
''Stop what you are doing'' was the message, he said. The 11 named were the people who were responsible for some of Phuket's problems, he said.
Not much happened, although the DSI eventually tweaked a couple of taxi ranks gently. Observers thought that waving a list at Phuket International Airport was the action of a publicity seeker, rather than an investigator.
Twelve months on, the DSI is still involved in some investigations but the kinds of sweeping changes that Phuket residents hoped to see back then have come about since the May 22 military takeover that led to action against tuk-tuks and taxis, and a beach clearance of commercial activities.
The major general has let it be known this week that the demolished homes did not belong to his wife Wassamon but to a neighbor who had them demolished as soon as the allegations of encroachment were made.
The article fails to mention that as a result of the DSI's visit , investigators were empowered to return to Phuket incognito, and gathered evidence predictably "covered up" while the DSI was formally in Phuket.
A good deal of whats being currently acted on was instigated by the sound work of DSI probes under the directorship of Tharit.
If the properties were not in Tharit or his wifes name, they weren't his or his wifes. Simple.
Is this story some sort of smokescreen or pay back?
Posted by Chob on August 7, 2014 00:40