Police arrest suspect in Doi Tung fire


By Theerawat Khamthita

A suspect has been arrested for the arson attack which ravaged Doi Tung Development Project forest areas on March 7. Officials from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and a police team headed by Chiang Rai provincial police chief Pol Maj-Gen Songtham Alaphat, have detained Wattana Viboonpornsiri, 19, a member of the Akha ethnic tribe and an employee of the Doi Tung firefighting department.

The blaze, which broke out near the Doi Tung Royal Villa where the late Princess Mother used to reside, destroyed more than 2,000 rai of forest that was home to large, priceless teak trees, and pines more than 20 years old.



The fire started in the northern part of the villa.

Earlier, Pol Maj-Gen Songtham said police had come up with a number of theories about the cause and more than 60 suspects had been questioned.

He said investigators suspected the fire could be linked to either a conflict involving project officials, or drug cartels which burned the forests in a bid to divert attention from smuggling operations.

An intelligence source said the DSI team also helped local police expose those behind an April 1 arson attack which damaged about 100 rai of forest.
Up to eight high-ranking officials and local influential figures are allegedly involved, the source said.

Bangkok post