Three land officials “guilty’ – inquiry

BANGKOK: The SorPorKor 4-01 land investigation in Phuket reached a milestone yesterday when an official inquiry found that the former Chief of the Phuket Agricultural Land Reform Office, Surat Wasinwattana, had intended to destroy important evidence related to the issue of illegal SorPorKor papers, after investigators found documents in his house and car. The inquiry found two other officials, Ittichai Onbannasilp and Niyom Daengchaisri, guilty of negligence, but cleared three others. Adisak Srisuppakij, Secretary General of the Agricultural Land Reform Department, told the Gazette, “Since the offenses [of the three guilty officials] were quite serious, it is possible that they will be kicked out [of the bureaucracy]. Another committee will be set up to decide what penalties will be imposed.”