Park Chief Surrenders to Police in Karen Activist’s Murder Case

BANGKOK, Nov 12 (TNA) – Former chief of the Kaeng Krachan National Park, Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn turned himself in to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Karen activist's murder case. Yesterday, a court issued arrest warrants against him and three other park officials for their alleged involvement in killing Karen rights activist Porlajee "Billy" Rakchongcharoen. Chaiwat said he came to acknowledge charges. He was ready to fight for justice in court and would not escape. He had followed up the DSI’s investigation process and cooperated well with DSI officials, he added. He and three officials were questioned by DSI right away after acknowledging six felony charges, including premeditated murder, detention and robbery. The DSI accepted Billy case in June last year and Billy's burnt remains were finally discovered in an oil drum during searches near a bridge in the national park from April to August this year. Before his disappearance, Billy was last seen in April 2014 in the custody of officials in Phetchaburi province. Officials said he was released after being given a warning for collecting wild honey. At that time, Billy was helping ethnic Karen forest dwellers sue then park chief, Chaiwat for allegedly setting fire to their huts in eviction operations in the national park. Now, Chaiwat is director of the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation's Area 9 unit in Ubon Ratchathani province. (TNA)