Panel set to probe forest plantation graft suspicions

A committee has been set up to investigate a complaint questioning the transparency of a forest plantation project in Kaeng Krachan National Park. (Post Today photo)

A ministry-level committee has been set up to investigate a complaint questioning the transparency of a forest plantation project in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's permanent secretary Wichan Simachaya said the complaint implicates five officials in corruption in a 15 million-baht forest plantation project.

It is not clear who made the complaint or what the results of an initial probe revealed. However, the ministry is now taking the matter further by setting up a new panel at ministerial level to investigate.

The scope of the investigation involves whether sprouts (saplings) were really taken for planting in the forest, whether the plantation was done in the assigned area, which is approved by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, whether the planting was carried out in line with the contract and whether there was any bidding conspiracy.

"We do hope that it won't take long time to get a result. If the officers are found guilty, a disciplinary committee will consider the punishment," he said. The complaint also has been examined by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), after an initial probe showed irregularities.

The 15 million-baht forest plantation project was carried out in 2012-2013 over 4,200 rai inside the park, with the purpose of mitigating climate change impacts and increasing food sources for elephants in the wild to reduce conflicts between locals and wild jumbos in the area. The budget was 3,800 baht per rai.

The department earlier set up a panel to probe the complaint, which finished last August. It sent the result to the ministry, which has now set up its committee to investigate further.