More than a month after the Thungyai Naresuan hunting saga involving a multi-billionaire flared up, police handling the case have categorically failed to secure the public's trust. This is a shame.
The shooting of an ill-fated black leopard and some other rare species in the Kanchanaburi-based sanctuary, allegedly by construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development Plc, caused a public outcry. But the way some senior police officers have handled the case seems to have made things worse.
On Feb 4, Mr Premchai was arrested with three companions on suspicion of illegal hunting. Some observers noted the case proceeded slowly amid allegations of attempted bribery.
Subsequently, each suspect was released on 150,000-baht bail. Since then there have been complaints of foot-dragging on the part of the police.
Conservationists eventually called for the investigators to be replaced and their petition has received strong public support. Yet, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his regime have failed to respect public sentiment.
In the spotlight is deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul, whose role in this case has courted controversy from the beginning. His threat against the sanctuary chief was frowned on by the public. Some suspected foul play, such as attempts being made from behind the scenes to weaken the prosecuturs' case.
Suspicions intensified this month after Gen Srivara punished a Kanchanaburi police officer who accepted a complaint of cruelty to animals against the suspects that was filed on Feb 7 by Narongchai Sangworawongsa, head of animal quarantine in Kanchanaburi.
Pol Capt Sumit Boonyanit of Thong Phaphune police station has been placed on probation, as ordered by the deputy police chief, who claimed the animal cruelty charge could not be made in accordance with the law. Pol Gen Srivara said he had to punish the officer as the latter had failed to carefully check the relevant law and his action had caused "public confusion".
The punishment of his subordinate has frustrated the public. Even if Pol Capt Sumit was wrong, as claimed by the deputy police chief, the punishment seemed excessive. Not to mention that Pol Gen Srivara's claims were later disputed by some legal experts, who voiced support for Pol Capt Sumit's deeds. A former public prosecutor even challenged the deputy police chief's decision by saying animal cruelty was punishable under the criminal code.
This week, a photo of the deputy police chief emerged showing him "kowtowing" to Mr Premchai, the prime suspect in the case, as the latter turned up at Thong Phaphume police station early this month. That fuelled public anger even more.
The brouhaha in this high-profile case has dented the public's confidence in the justice system and the regime.
Last month, the majority of people who answered a poll conducted by the Bangkok Post expressed a lack of trust in the justice system over its handling of the hunting case. More than 60% of respondents said they believed the accused would walk away a free man. Many feel the same way about the fatal hit-and-run case involving a member of the billionaire Yoovidhya family. The man remains at large as, again, the police failed in their work.
The regime should be aware that members of the public have been watching the suspected poaching case closely. Any misdeeds will not be tolerated.
The leopard-killing scandal highlights the need for police reform, as pledged by the prime minister and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). It would be wrong to think that this is just another hunting case. It's not.
Any misstep in the process will intensify the frustration felt by the public -- not just against the police, but against the regime under Gen Prayut.