Talking to reporters during a helicopter survey of the huge operation last Tuesday (July 31) Regional Special Case Operations chief Pol Lt Col Karawach Panprapakorn cited statements that Prasit Chutong was killed in a gangland-style shooting in August 2006 as revenge for having opposed operation of the mine.
Prasit’s son alleged that an unidentified influential figure associated with the mine ordered the killing.
Officials backed by navy commandos raided the mine on July 30.
The mine, in Tambon Lam Kaen Moo 4, sprawls across some 5,000 rai (eight square kilometres) of Klong Toong Maprao forest land.
Using a helicopter loaned to the DSI by the the Royal Thai Navy, DSI chief Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang and Regional Special Case Operations chief Pol Lt Col Karawach Panprapakorn clattered over the site for about an hour.
Col Paisit said the mine had been operating for about 10 years without interference from authorities.
“They used a pump to suck up the sand to a depth of about 10 metres. When they reached bedrock, they moved to another spot,” Col Karawach explained. By this means, devastation caused by the mining expanded over a vast area.
Col Karawach said police “will try to prosecute those arrested who are influential figures, civil servants, and investors – prosecution of little people involved will not be a priority.”
He said that during the coming two weeks investigators will seek out witnesses and gather evidence preparatory to filing charges meriting “special case” status.
Col Karawach added that Phang-nga Natural Resources and Environment Office personnel are currently assessing the operation’s precise extent so that a formal estimate of damages can be arrived at. – Source: Siang Tai