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)
