BKK P0st, March 5, 1998 SALWEEN SCA

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March 5, 1998
SALWEEN SCANDAL

Log tycoon holds the key, says Prawat 
Follow the money trail, panel told 
Wuth Nontarit and Chakrit Ridmontri

Every state agency involved in the Salween forests will be implicated if 
a logging tycoon reveals his network of connections, the man at the 
centre of the scandal said yesterday.

Senior figures from each agency would come under the spotlight as 
investigations widen, said Prawat Thanadkha, former deputy director of 
the Forestry Department.

Mr Prawat, who inadvertently drew attention to the scandal by trying to 
donate a five-million-baht bribe to the Thai-help-Thai fund, predicted 
widespread damage if the source of the money revealed his connections.

Defending himself against the bribe allegation before the House 
Committee on Justice and Human Rights, he urged the police to trace 
people contacted by the tycoon, understood to be Som Chankrachang, the 
owner of STB Co, before the scandal came to light.

To get a clearer picture, police should trace the tycoon's personal 
links as far back as the last general election, he said, implying the 
involvement of politicians.

Police claimed to have evidence Mr Prawat had several telephone 
conversations with the man thought to be the source of the bribe.

Mr Prawat, who insists he will not quit despite his transfer to an 
inactive post pending the bribe investigation, has made clear he will 
fight the bribery charge.

Although the Central Investigation Bureau has not pressed charges, its 
preliminary conclusion was enough to destroy his reputation in the eye 
of the public.

Mr Prawat said senior forestry officials should not side with a group of 
loggers so their subordinates could do their duty without worrying about 
stepping on the foot of any protege.

He had dealt with dark influences at all levels when he led a 
suppression unit in Salween National Park. "It was dangerous work," he 
said. Mr Prawat felt confident when Pongpol Adireksarn, the agriculture 
minister, gave him full support to act against loggers. But he was 
"knocked out even before he could put up a fight".

One man could not withstand the immense dark influence that prevails 
over logging interests, said Mr Prawat, who declined to point to 
military men or politicians.

Adisorn Piangket, deputy chairman of the panel, said the bribery case 
would set a precedent on corruption proceedings. Mr Prawat gave an 
account that contradicted those of other witnesses when he was asked 
when and where the box containing the bribe was opened, said the MP.

Mr Prawat maintained he knew nothing of the contents until he opened the 
box at Government House. But Maj-Gen Kittisak Rattanaprasert and 
Noppadol Pruksuwan, a forestry official, who had accompanied Mr Prawat 
on that day, said the box was opened before.

It was odd that Mr Prawat did not hand the money to the police, he said, 
challenging the official's contention that he did not know what was in 
the box.

Police contend Mr Prawat demanded the bribe from a miller in payment for 
the return of a batch of 13,000 logs confiscated in Tak.

The committee has invited Pol Lt-Gen Seri Temiyavej, the CIB 
commissioner, and Mr Prawat's wife to testify next week. 

Sathit Sawintara, the Forestry Department chief, will have to answer to 
a new committee set up by Mr Pongpol to investigate the department's 
performance.

Mr Pongpol admitted a number of forestry officials were involved in the 
Salween scandal when he set up the committee on Tuesday.

"The forestry chief would be included in the list of officials to be 
interviewed," said Mr Pongpol. "Junior officials dare to collude with 
illegal loggers because their superiors are not so tough and clean."

Chaired by Tweesackdi Sesawesh, permanent secretary for agriculture, the 
committee begins work today and will not limit itself to the Salween 
case.

Mr Tweesackdi earlier stripped Mr Prawat of his responsibility for 
logging suppression and transferred him to oversee drought alleviation 
projects.

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