DSI searches factory/company relating to corruption in Krabi Oil–Palm Farmers Cooperatives Federation Limited

DSI searches factory/company relating to corruption in Krabi Oil–Palm Farmers Cooperatives Federation Limited

       This case started from the resolution of the Board of Special Case in its meeting no. 1/2565 on January 25, 2022 approving the case of corruption and embezzlement in the Krabi Oil–Palm Farmers Cooperatives Federation Limited to be investigated and inquired as the special case no. 215/2565 subject to Section 21 paragraph one (2) of the Special Case Investigation Act, B.E. 2547 (2004) and its amendments. The Justice Minister, Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, directed the Director-General of the DSI, Mr. Triyarith Temahivong, to urge investigation and inquiry into the said case by the special case inquiry team, headed by Deputy Director-General Pol.Maj. Yuthana Praedam. Later, on March 22, 2022, there was the raid on 9 target locations in Krabi province for gathering evidence to prove guilt.

       From further inquiry, there was certain important evidence needed to be collected at the Palm Oil Extraction Factory, Khlong Thom District, Krabi Province, due to the occupation of the aforesaid factory as the owner by an oil-palm company, with reasonable cause to believe that it was wrongfully occupied or obtained. The factory was previously owned as the property by the Krabi Oil–Palm Farmers Cooperatives Federation Limited and most of the Company’s executives were former high executives of the Cooperative likely to exploit for benefit to themselves and others. Such acts caused damage to over 50,000 oil-palm farmers as the shareholders. Thus, the Director-General of the DSI assigned his Deputy Director-General Pol.Maj. Yuthana Praedam, the head of the special case inquiry team, to oversee the searches at the aforesaid places by ordering Pol.Capt. Surawoot Rungsai (the Director of Crime Relating to Submission of Bids to Government Agencies Bureau) to file a petition for the search warrant of the Krabi Provincial Court, the search warrant no. 186/2565.

       Recently, today (Thursday, June 2, 2022) at 09:30 a.m. the special case inquiry team, led by Pol.Capt. Surawoot Rungsai and Pol.Lt.Col. Jukkrit Visetketgarn (the Director of Special Operation Bureau), joined force with Mr. Prakob Paopong (Deputy Director-General of Cooperatives Promotion Department) and police from the Krabi Provincial Police Station to search the target company located in the Palm Oil Extraction Factory, (Khlong Thom) Ltd., in area of Klong Thom Subdistrict, Krabi Province. From the search, there were important documents found that could be used as evidence. After this the special case inquiry team will collect all facts and evidence for consideration before making its case opinion based on evidence obtained in order to provide the justice in accordance with law to all parties.

       Moreover, the case is important causing impacts on many oil-palm farmers in Krabi province and nearby provinces. The Board of Special Case by the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Wissanu Kreu-Ngam (as the Chairman) and the Justice Minister Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin (as the Vice Chairman) prioritized this case and ordered the DSI to do this case thoroughly for fairness to all parties.

Dated June 2, 2022