Police have accused four officials from Narathiwat's Muno Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO), including its chairman, of malfeasance in connection with the deadly fireworks warehouse explosion on July 29.
The blast in Sungai Kolok district's tambon Muno killed 12 people and injured 389. It also destroyed three schools and damaged 682 homes.
During a press briefing at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club yesterday, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said progress has been made in the investigation.
The case was brought up for discussion among senior officers on Monday.
The Muno TAO chairman and three other officials have come under suspicion in relation to the blast. They have been accused of malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, said Pol Gen Surachate.
He said the TAO failed to notify state agencies about the fireworks warehouse being located in the middle of a populated area. It failed to inform local interior, public health, industry and labour offices, as well as the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc).
The chairman and the three officials were authorised to issue the permit for building the warehouse.
However, they failed to notify state agencies about its construction.
Police will check for any financial transactions involving the TAO officials and the warehouse owner to find out if a bribe passed hands.
The investigation will also expand to 11 factories which supplied materials to the fireworks warehouse, said Pol Gen Surachate.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday presented 107 million baht worth in aid and relief for blast victims through the Narathiwat governor, Sanan Pongaksorn, at Government House.
The money is split into two portions -- 100 million baht for repairing or rebuilding houses damaged or destroyed in the blast and the rest compensation for the families of the dead and injured.
Rachada Dhnadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, said the aid money was drawn from the government's Disaster Victim Compensation Fund and public donations.
Gen Prayut promised to help ease victims' suffering while adding that the government was doing all it could to help residents.