Former chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park, Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, was sentenced to one year in prison today by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, after he was found guilty of malfeasance in office in connection with a construction project at the park.
Six co-defendants were acquitted. He was released on Bt300,000.
After his conviction, Chaiwat wrote in his Facebook post that the court had not found him guilty of corruption, in connection with a building project for park rangers at the park in Phetchaburi province, claiming that it had found him guilty of failing to inspect the building properly after its completion, to ensure that it was constructed in accordance with the specifications.
He said that his conviction should serve a reminder to officials, who sit on the inspection committees of any projects, that they must inspect every project properly, before taking delivery from the contractors.
Chaiwat made headlines about a decade ago, when he was implicated in the disappearance of Karen rights activist Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen, after he had been stopped for questioning by park officials who suspected that he was collecting wild honey. He was later released, but has not been seen or heard of since.
Chaiwat and a group of park officials were charged with the murder of Porlajee, but they were acquitted. He was, however, found guilty of dereliction of duty related to Billy’s detention and was sentenced to three years. The case is still on appeal.
In June this year, Chaiwat was dismissed from government service, effective retroactively to September 30th, 2023, after the National Anti-Corruption Commission found him guilty of disciplinary violations concerning two construction projects, while he was serving as chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park. He has appealed against his dismissal to the Central Administrative Court.
