A team of DSI investigators led by Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongsinil, chief of the DSI’s Consumer and Environment Protection Division, inspected the site, on Naka Noi Island, on Monday (Dec 14).
The land in question was still forest, no buildings were found at the site.
Mr Puri, 37, explained that he inherited about 60 rai on Naka Noi Island from his grandfather.
“Then four years ago, my family was contacted and asked to buy land on Naka Noi that had a SorKor 1 (land document),” Mr Puri said.
“We thought that was impossible, as our understanding was that the land being sold was a protected forest area, so we declined the offer.
“Later, we found out that the same land had its title upgraded to NorSor 3 Kor in 2014 and sold to a company for about B40 million,” he added.
“I filed a complaint with the Phuket Damrongdhama Center (ombudsman’s office), but nothing happened for six months, so I decided to inform the DSI.”
Col Prawut presented several land documents to the press, but asked for them not to be published.
His understanding is that a SorKor 1 land document for a plot on Naka Yai Island was used to claim the plot on Naka Noi Island that was reportedly sold for B42 million.
“We found two land papers that are very similar,” Col Prawut said.
“The size of the plots are different and the descriptions of the bordering plots are different, but both land papers are for plots that are exactly the same shape and both are marked as having coconut plantations.”
SorKor 1 Number 70 is marked as covering 7 rai 3 ngan 20 talang wah on Naka Yai Island, he explained.
“And the SorKor 1 for the plot on Naka Noi has the same shape, but is for 17 rai 3 ngan 20 talang wah. This SorKor 1 was upgraded to NorSor 3 Kor No 3977 in May 2014,” said Col Prawut.
“We believe that the SorKor 1 for the land on Naka Noi Island was used to claim land on Naka Yai using the process called ‘Flying SorKor 1’,” he said.
“We will investigate this further, including all officials involved, and question suspects over the next two to three months,” Col Prawut added.
“Also, I suspect that this case might involve laundering money, and so the Anti-Money Laundering Office will be notified of this investigation.” he said.