Police inspector 'was part of hunting party'

Deputy police chief Pansiri Prapawat said yesterday that additional inquiries conducted at the request of the public prosecutor had found evidence that Prachuap Khiri Khan inspector Pol Lt-Colonel Thirayuth Katemungmee was indeed involved in illegal hunting in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi from November 8-10.

After meeting investigators, Provincial Administration Department head Chuan Sirinanporn and Kaeng Krachan district chief Khajornsak Somboon yesterday, Pansiri said investigation on 12 additional issues showed that Thirayuth had played a role in renting the boat, camping, cooking wildlife and other hunting-related activities. The police officer was previously not indicted in the case.

Pansiri said the investigation report would be submitted to the prosecutor before Friday, adding that the witnesses had been provided with additional security and any threats made would be reported to the police and Phetchaburi governor.

The deputy police chief added that if Thirayuth ends up being indicted, he would be suspended from civil service and police would use the investigation report to launch another severe disciplinary probe.

Pansiri went on to say that the previous police investigator of the case, Pol Lt-Colonel Kollayuth Wongphetch had also been transferred to assist Provincial Police Region 7 and faced a disciplinary probe.