The deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, Pol Maj Gen Pongdech Prommichit, has been dismissed from the police force for alleged encroachment in a forest reserve in Wang Nam Khieo district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, pending investigation.
The alleged offence is related to a case of forest encroachment against former deputy national police chief Jumpol Manmai.
The dismissal order, which took effect on Sunday, was signed by Pol Gen Thammasak Vicharaya, an adviser to the Royal Thai Police, on behalf of the national police chief.
The order says Pol Maj Gen Pongdech, a former deputy chief of Nakhon Ratchasima police, has been accused of a serious disciplinary violation and forest encroachment, as set out in a complaint filed with Wang Nam Khieo police on Feb 6.
According to the complaint, from Dec 17, 2003 to Feb 6, 2017 Pol Maj Gen Pongdech encroached on a forest reserve near Ban Sombunsuk in tambon Thai Samakkhi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Wang Nam Khieo district.
The offence was in violation of the Forest Act, National Park Act, Forest Reserve Act and Environment Quality Promotion and Protection Act.
Under the regulations of the Police Commission, a committee has been set up to conduct a disciplinary investigation into Pol Maj Gen Pongdech's actions, according to the order.
Pol Maj Gen Pongdech can file a petition contesting the dismissal order with the Police Commission within 30 days.
Previously, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) said a complaint was lodged the same day with Wang Nam Khieo police against three suspects -- Pol Gen Jumpol, Pol Maj Gen Pongdech and the Pol Maj Gen's girlfriend Chayanis Pisitwanich -- and follows a raid on Feb 6 on the roughly 13 rai compound which accommodates six houses, suspected of being the holiday homes of Pol Gen Jumpol.
According to the RTP, Ms Chayanis, who is a former deputy chief of tambon Thai Samakkhi administration organisation, and Pol Maj Gen Pongdech, both of whom allegedly occupied the land illegally, sold the plot to Pol Gen Jumpol.
In another development, the Thung Pho kamnan (sub-district head) and his wife have been charged with encroaching on Thap Lan National Park in Prachin Buri's Na Di district, police said.
A combined team of more than 100 police officers, military officers and national park officials led by Pol Col Arun Wachirasrisukanya, superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) yesterday sealed off Thap Lan National Park for an inspection.
The search was ordered by CSD commander Suthin Sapmuang.
Pol Col Arun said police investigators were tipped off by officials from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Plant Conservation that Wirat Sirirak, kamnan of tambon Thung Pho, allegedly encroached on the national park and built houses.
Authorities found three houses believed to belong to Mr Wirat in the area.
Cassava and eucalyptus trees were also found planted on the encroached land, police said.
Pol Col Arun said officials met Mr Wirat's wife Ketsarin Sisongkram and five migrant workers but did not meet Mr Wirat during the search.
Ms Ketsarin told investigators that Mr Wirat had left the house for Chanthaburi last Friday.
The five migrant workers were found legally registered to work in the country, with Mr Wirat listed as their employer, according to police.