Former chief of Kaeng Krachan national park, Chaiwat Limlikhit-akson, has vowed to appeal against the order, issued by the civil service committee of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, terminating his employment, and to petition the Administrative Court to put on hold the committee’s order.

Chaiwat, currently director of the Ubon Ratchathani-based conservation area management office, said today (Saturday) that he has not yet formally received the committee’s order terminating his employment, as recommended by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) over an incident a decade ago when he, then the park chief, allegedly led his men in burning down about 100 houses of Karn indigenous villagers at Ban Bang Kloy Bon or Jai Paendin in the heart of the national park.

Once he has officially received the order from the committee, he said he will appeal against it to the good governance protection committee at Government House, claiming that the PACC never set foot on the Ban Bang Kloy Bon site during its investigation of the case.

He also said that he will ask the Administrative Court to put on hold the order, claiming that he has some unfinished work,concerning forest encroachment cases, which he has to complete.

Natural Resources and Environment Permanent Secretary Chatuporn Burutpat said yesterday that the committee’s order will become effective on April 9th.

He said he regrets losing a hard-working official like Chaiwat, but added that all officials must obey the law.