Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa has ordered a special meeting of all senior executives of the ministry on January 4th, to remind them of the ministry’s policies, especially regarding honesty and transparency.
The follows the arrest on Tuesday, on corruption charges, of Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
Minister Varawut said today (Wednesday), that he does notwant officials in the ministry to feel demoralised by the incident or by speculation implying that some politicians could be involved in the corruption scandal.
He urged officials who feel that they have not been treated fairly by their superiors to notify him, so that a fact-finding investigation can be launched.
Rutchada has been ordered to work at Government House by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, to facilitate the investigation into his alleged misconduct, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said today.
He insisted, however, that the national park chief has not been officially transferred out of the department and that he has not yet been proven guilty, adding that there is sufficient evidence for the prime minister to take initial action against him.
