Officials in four government departments are involved in just three cases relating to the issue of illegitimate papers for land in Sirinat Marine National Park.
The NACC chief, Tawichat Nillakan, told The Phuket News that 20 per cent of the cases are about land.
Seventy per cent involve misuse of public funds and corruption in hiring and promoting staff at tambon administration organisations (OrBorTor).
The remaining 10 per cent are related to embezzlement of funds in the Education and Finance Departments in Phuket.
“The first of the three cases relating to Sirinart Park land involves 10-15 government officials from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Interior, the Land Department and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). It also involves local officials [village heads and kamnan].
“The second case is being checked by the NACC using aerial photographs. The DNP reported it to the police in 2011. However, the event involving someone issuing illegal land papers in 1987 so [the crime] has exceeded the statute of limitations [so no one can be prosecuted for criminal acts].
“The national park reported it too late. [However] the NACC can still proceed with disciplinary action and withdraw the land paper.”
The NACC must use aerial photographs to identify whether the land is within the national park or not. If it finds sufficient reason for the land paper to be withdrawn, it will order the Land Department to do so.
“The investigation team are arriving soon to continue the case. The head of the NACC is going to sign the order today or tomorrow.”
Mr Tawichat said that the facts and information in the third case are still being checked.
“Right now I’m handling another case. It’s similar to the second one. The national park reported it to the police late, so the statute of limitations deadline has been exceeded.”