MikeLigalig.com

BENARNEWS- A Thai police officer who led a probe into a human trafficking case that scandalized Thailand earlier this year has resigned after being notified of his transfer to a new post in the country’s restive Deep South, according to reports.
Police Maj. Gen. Paween Pongsirin told a local newspaper that he quit out of fear he might be targeted for reprisals in the region, which is infamous as a transit route for human trafficking into neighboring Malaysia.
From the southern city of Hat Yai, Paween oversaw an investigation that resulted in scores of suspected members of an alleged people-smuggling ring being arrested, including a Thai army general and other military and police officers.
“My concern for safety is not about insurgent attacks, which I am not afraid of, but I am concerned about the threats that would come out of my investigation into the Rohingya trafficking case – especially when many suspects are influential persons who have connections with men everywhere. I fear I am in danger from these people,” he told The Nation newspaper over the weekend.
“I submitted the letter of resignation on Nov. 5 because my family has concerns for my safety,” he added.
His resignation, however, could only take effect Dec. 6 because he was required to give 30 days’ notice, he said.
Paween’s transfer raises questions about the government’s seriousness and commitment in halting human trafficking, Angkhana Neelapaijit, a member of Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission, told BenarNews.
“At the beginning, the government seemed to be really serious about the case and had no fear of the gangsters,” she said in a phone interview.
“There seems to be something wrong now – the person in charge was transferred.”
Police chief: ‘He can ask for protection’
In May, graves of Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi migrants who had been trafficked into Thailand were discovered in the jungle near the Malaysian border, precipitating a Thai governmental crackdown on human trafficking rings.
Thailand launched a simultaneous blockade to prevent more migrants from landing by sea, forcing loads of human smuggling boats to sail farther south. Thousands of desperate Rohingyas and Bangladeshis ended up coming ashore in Aceh, Indonesia and in Malaysia.
The police investigation that Paween headed netted 91 arrests of suspects and warrants for 62 others wanted for human trafficking. Among those taken into custody were an army lieutenant general, Manas Kongpaen, and an army captain, Wisut Bunnag. Three other military officers named in the investigation are on the run. A mayor and deputy mayor in Songkhla province, where the graves were discovered, and at least four policemen were also implicated.
At press time it remained unclear why Paween was transferred to the Deep South, but National Police Chief Chaktip Chaichinda told reporters in Bangkok that Paween could always file a grievance with the police or an administrative court, if he felt that he was being moved unfairly. The police had received no orders from politicians or the military to send Paween to a different post, Chaktip said.
“As far as I know, he cited a personal reason to quit the job to have time to take care of his parents and family. For the claim about the threat which also aimed at his family, he can ask for protection from police,” Chaktip said Monday.


* Work from Home and START YOUR OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.mochahost.com



Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=93530.0