The DNP director general, Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya, was detained this week on bribery charges. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa has promised that a fact-finding committee would conduct this probe in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations.
All of the heads of national park offices will be subject to additional scrutiny. Furthermore, the fact-finding committee will be demanding any and all paperwork and supporting documentation pertaining to this particular arrest. Former Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn reported feeling threatened after disclosing the bribery scheme, leading to his imprisonment.
Following Director-General Rutchada’s detention, the DNP leadership position was left open. The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will choose his successor.
The head of the DNP—the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation—is being investigated for bribery. The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment has said that the inquiry would provide clarity, thus this decision was made in light of that.
