The army is seeking to suspend from duty a senior soldier who faces an arrest warrant over his alleged involvement in the trafficking of Rohingya migrants to jungle camps in the South.
The suspension request was made by army chief Udomdej Sitabutr to the Defence Ministry.
Gen Udomdej announced his request Monday, after learning the Na Thawi Provincial Court in Songkhla on Sunday approved a warrant to arrest Lt Gen Manas Kongpan, a senior army expert, on charges of human trafficking, detaining victims of human trafficking, and holding victims of trafficking for ransom.
Police and the army have been sharing information on the matter for some time, Gen Udomdej said.
"I have made it clear that any army officers who have breached laws must be dealt with," the army chief said.
However, the claim of close cooperation is new. On May 19, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha appeared to be angry about allegations that a military officer was behind the southern trafficking. He said he was unaware of any such accusation, and demanded that reporters give him the name of the suspect.
While the strong denials succeeded in quashing most media reports of military involvement, however, investigations were well under way by a police task force formed to fight trafficking.
Evidence suggesting the senior army officer's involvement was discovered during a raid at a suspect's home in Ranong's Muang district. The evidence included four receipts for transfers to a bank account belonging to the general and a document with the bank account details and general's name written on it.
According to a Bangkok Post story, quoting a "security source": "In this case, although police found evidence to prove the major general's involvement in trafficking, no one dares do anything with this suspect. Of course, you know who is in power. So, who wouldn't be afraid?"
Now the warrant has been issued, Defence Ministry regulations stipulate the soldier must be suspended from duty, said Gen Udomdej, who is also deputy defence minister.
Lt Gen Manas could also be banned from visiting areas where his alleged crimes took place if he is deemed likely to impede police investigations, he said.
Lt Gen Manas will have to prove his innocence during legal proceedings, he said.
Gen Udomdej said he had been aware of police investigations into Lt Gen Manas for some time, but did not reveal them so police could gather enough information to prosecute him.
"If Lt Gen Manas is guilty, the army will give no assistance to him and will conduct a probe to seek further disciplinary punishment," the army chief said.
A panel will be set up from the 4th Army region to carry out the investigation, he said, adding that if Lt Gen Manas is involved in the crimes, he must be dismissed as a state official.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Manas told a military reporter, who reached him by telephone Monday, that he was unaware of the warrant for his arrest. He declined to answer any other questions.
National police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang said Lt Gen Manas, 58, was charged with colluding with more than three people to commit human trafficking, helping foreigners to enter the country illegally, detaining victims of human trafficking, and demanding ransoms.
The crimes, the police chief said, took place in Bangladesh, Myanmar, the southern Thai provinces of Phangnga, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Satun, and temporary camps on the Kaew mountain range in tambon Padang Besar in Songkhla's Sadao district, as well as Malaysia.
The trafficking occurred between November 2012 and May 2015, he added.
Deputy national police chief Ek Angsananon, who is responsible for investigations into the trafficking of Rohingya, said Lt Gen Manas had contacted police to surrender.
According to police sources, Lt Gen Manas was implicated in Rohingya trafficking after police searched the house of another suspect, Thanakan Molee, 24, in tambon Bang Rin of Ranong's Muang district on March 31.
Officers found 26 bank books and other financial records detailing transfers to two of Lt Gen Manas's accounts in Ranong from March 2013 to February 2014.
They also found documents with Lt Gen Manas's bank account details.
Lt Gen Manas was the former commander of the 25th Infantry Regiment Task Force from 2005-2006.
In 2007, he was assigned to work in the three southernmost provinces.
During an anti-insurgency operation in Narathiwat in October 2007, he led his team to search a house in tambon Muno of Sungai Kolok district and discovered more than 70 million baht stuffed in nine PVC pipes. But as the pipes were taken to a police station, two were lost and only 30 million baht was handed in.
Lt Gen Manas was promoted to commander of the 42nd Military Circle in Songkhla and the Chumphon army from 2008-2009.
He was promoted to army senior advisor with the rank of lieutenant general in April.
