The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on Tuesday decided to forward findings from its investigation into a case against the former chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
The DSI recently linked former park chief, Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, to the murder of Karen rights activist Porlajee "Billy" Rakchongcharoen. PACC believed that its findings might help solve the case.
PACC secretary-general, Pol Lt Col Wannop Somjintanakul, said the PACC's board on Tuesday agreed to forward their findings to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which will then forward the findings to the DSI.
"All criminal cases associated with Porlajee's death will therefore be transferred to the DSI for further investigation," he said.
PACC had looked into Mr Chaiwat's alleged mishandling of an illegal wild honey collecting case against Porlajee, which was driven by his personal conflict with the latter, said Pol Lt Col Wannop.
"Mr Chaiwat should have simply fined Porlajee for violating the National Parks Act and handed him along with the seized wild honey over to the Kaeng Krachan police for further action, instead of detaining him," he said.
PACC finished probing the case last year and now believes its findings will greatly benefit the DSI in its investigation into the death of Porlajee, added Pol Lt Col Wannop.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, meanwhile assured that Porlajee's family will receive financial compensation and aid from the Justice Ministry's Justice Fund, while the DSI continues its probe.
Gen Prayut said he had also stressed with the DSI the importance of ensuring justice for all sides.
Porlajee was last seen on April 17, 2014, in the custody of park officials.
At the time of his disappearance, he was helping his ethnic Karen relatives to sue Mr Chaiwat, then-chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, for setting fire to their bamboo huts and rice barns.
