An investigation into an audio clip of an official who demanded a 10-million-baht bribe from a pork smuggler is underway to identify the official in question, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow said.
Capt Thamanat on Monday told reporters at the Nattapon Grand Hotel in Nong Bua Lam Phu province in response to a question about the dissemination of an audio clip showing an official in the middle of negotiating with a pork smuggler.
The smuggler was heard seeking the official's help to drop a criminal charge in exchange for 10 million baht.
Capt Thamanat said he could identify the whistleblower as they were actively involved in social work. Related agencies are investigating to confirm the culprit's identity, he said.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow attends a meeting at Nattapon Grand Hotel in Nong Bua Lam Phu province on Monday. (Photo: Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry)
Separately, activist Thaikorn Polsuwan on Nov 29 submitted a complaint letter to Sakdinai Numnu, a Move Forward Party MP for Trat and chairman of the House committee on agriculture and cooperatives, seeking an investigation into the irregularity of the disposal of 4,500 tonnes of illegal pork.
Mr Thaikorn said after Capt Thamanat ordered the disposal of contraband pork discovered earlier in 161 cargo containers at Laem Chabang Port, some 30 tonnes of the pork were found buried underground in Khlong Hat district in Sa Kaeo, causing a foul smell in the area.
He doubted the transparency of the disposal process of the confiscated pork as they are at risk of being brought back for sale.
That is in addition to the abrupt transfer of DSI director-general Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol, which came at the height of the high-profile investigation involving pork smuggling networks.
Last Friday, Boriboon La-orpaksin, an executive of the Sikhantin Trading Ltd and Smile Top K Enterprise Ltd, which were accused of involvement in the illegal pork racket, denied the allegations at DSI headquarters. Both companies face charges under customs and epidemic laws.