Pareena denies meddling in inquiry

Palang Pracharath Party MP Pareena Kraikupt insisted yesterday she had not interfered in a police investigation into forest encroachment allegations against her or her father after an activist complained about a lack of progress.

The Ratchaburi MP also said she will cooperate with investigators, but noted she had yet to receive a summons to answer the encroachment charges.

The Royal Forest Department last month filed a complaint with the Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division accusing her of illegally occupying most of the 665-rai land designated for landless farmers in Chom Bung district.

Her father, Thawee Kraikupt, was accused of encroaching on about 1,000 rai of forest in Suan Phung district. Responding to criticism the case against her and her father was moving slowly, Ms Pareena said she never interfered in police work.

Some believe she will be summonsed to answer the charges soon, now that parliament is in recess and she is not protected by parliamentary immunity.

Meanwhile, Veera Somkwamkid, secretary-general of the People’s Network Against Corruption, has called on the House committee on corruption to look into the conduct of police officers in charge of the investigation against the Kraikupt family and find out why there has been little progress.

The activist yesterday testified before the committee led by Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the opposition Seri Ruam Thai Party. Ms Pareena is also a member of the committee.

Ms Pareena said she did not ask any questions during the meeting, but later criticised the House committee for allowing Mr Veera to question police summonsed to provide information.

Mr Veera said the probe against Mr Thawee has made little progress, and some senior policemen may have intervened.

“I will keep a close eye on this case. I also believe that someone big in the police force may have told investigators [to drag their feet],” he said.

Before the House committee meeting started, three police officers were spotted, triggering speculation they were there to serve Ms Pareena a summons.

However, it later turned out that the officers were accompanying Pol Maj Gen Panya Pinsuk, commander of Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division, who yesterday testified to the House committee.

Pol Maj Gen Panya was assigned by the Central Investigation Bureau chief to report progress in the probe into Mr Tawee’s alleged forest encroachment.