Eight more cases under DSI's watchlist

At a meeting yesterday, DSI agreed to take action on eight cases, including action against websites deemed slanderous to the monarchy.

"Another case to come to DSI's attention is the one involving the President Agri Trading. BANKTHAI has accused the company of using fake documents in applications for loans, causing more than Bt1 billion in damages for the bank," the source said.

It added that DSI was also going to look into a gang that allegedly handed out illegitimate national identification cards to Rohingya and other aliens in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Other cases include the corruptionplagued schoolmilk project, bidding irregularities relating to a government project in Suphan Buri, alleged tax evasion by Royal Cargo Express and a pyramidfund scam in Amnat Charoen.

"Another case is the 2008/2009 government's intervention scheme in tapioca market. Evidence strongly suggests that bidding collusion in the scheme has caused over Bt20 billion in losses," the same source said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees security affairs, chaired the DSI board meeting yesterday.

The board was also informed that, as of April 30, the DSI had completed investigations into 373 of 517 cases put under its jurisdiction.

Colonel Piyawat Kingket, who leads the DSI specialcrimes unit, said yesterday that the agency was also looking into the case of Kiatisak Titboonkrong's hanging. The 17yearold was found hanged on July 23, 2004 in Kalasin and six policemen are suspected to be behind the killing. DSI took the case over in 2005.

"Between 2004 and 2005, 21 teenagers were found dead in mysterious circumstances in Kalasin. Their cases might have been linked to the government's war on drugs. At the time, thenpremier Thaksin Shinawatra had ordered a serious crackdown on drug trafficking," Piyawat said.

According to him, investigation shows that teenaged drug suspects in Kalasin were being hanged after their release on bail. "Local police have not been able to arrest a single suspect related to these murders," Piyawat said.

In Kiatisak's case, police senior sergeant majors Angkarn Kammoonna, Pansin Uppanan and Suttinan Nonting yesterday appeared in front of DSI to face charges of premediated murder and of covering up their crime. However, the three suspects denied any wrongdoing.

 "We will object to any bail request," Piyawat said, adding that three other suspects including two commissioned police officers would be turning themselves in later.