Pongpat-linked couple jailed 18 months for forest encroachment

Pongpat-linked couple jailed 18 months for forest encroachment

The aerial view of Suan Phung Resort in Ratchaburi province. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The aerial view of Suan Phung Resort in Ratchaburi province. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

The Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced the former chief of Samut Sakhon Immigration Police and his wife to 18 months in jail for land encroachment and obstructing a public waterway in Ratchaburi province.

Pol Col Kowit Muangnual and wife Sudathip also were fined 375,000 baht for encroaching on a national forest and occupying forest land without permission in violation of sections 54 and 55 of the Forestry Act, as well as illegally building structures over a public waterway in breach of sections 117 and 183 of the Thai Marine Navigation Act.

The two also are implicated in the alleged criminal network of Pol Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan, former chief of the Central Investigation Bureau.

The forest-related charges were filed against the couple after police conducted an investigation into a complaint lodged by hundreds of villagers that their Suan Phung Resort was blocking the waterway and causing a water shortage.

The villagers from tambons Manaosri and Suan Phung said that more than 500 households were suffering from water shortages they claimed were caused by the resort's spillway. The investigation led to the discovery of another four resorts also diverting water for their own use.

On Feb 2, the Criminal Court sentenced Sudathip to two years and six months without suspension on a lese majeste charge.

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