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| AsiaViews, Edition: 48/VI/March2010 |
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| Three illegal mines raided, ore seized |
| DSI looks into giant illegal mining case |
The Department of Special Investigation and border patrol police have raided three illegal mines and seized more than 100,000 metric tonnes of fluoride mineral ore worth over 400 million baht in Pai district of Mae Hong Son.
One mine manager was arrested yesterday on charges of illegally mining and clearing forest areas, in what officials say is the country's largest illegal mining case.
The agency believed the illegal mining, which threatens the watershed area of the Pai River, was masterminded by influential figures, including local politicians and senior officials.
The mines belong to Sahachart Setthakit Co and South East Transport Co, which are under the same ownership umbrella, according to Pol Maj Gen Surapol Thongprasert, deputy commander of the Border Patrol Police Bureau.
Residents had complained to the Industry Ministry about large-scale illegal mines in the province for more than 10 years. The case was forwarded to the DSI.
The agency worked with border patrol police, the Industry Ministry and the Royal Forest Department.
They raided the companies' three flouride mines in tambon Muang Paeng on Tuesday.
The mines are on Sor Por Kor land under the state land reform scheme, which is usually given to landless farmers.
The officials said 102,800 tonnes of fluoride mineral ore worth 411 million baht had been unearthed.
Mine worker Sathit Jankaew was also arrested. He was charged with colluding with others to mine without a licence, possess the mineral and encroach on forest land.
In another development, the DSI and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) are monitoring 16 Thais and 10 foreigners allegedly involved in illegal gold and currency trading, and car imports.
DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said the suspects had set up companies to import cars illegally and trade in gold and currencies.
They had transferred money from other countries into Thailand for their illegal businesses.
Mr Tharit said the DSI and Amlo did not focus only on monitoring international money transactions which might finance political activities here.
They also looked at whether international currency imports might be supporting illicit businesses.
The DSI would inspect the companies' premises and business transactions, Mr Tharit said.
The address of some companies given in their registration documents probably belonged to small shop houses without proper office supplies.
Amlo acting secretary-general Sihanart Prayoonrat said Amlo would give the DSI intelligence reports on the firms' financial transactions.
The agency examines suspicious transactions. It estimates suspicious financial transactions worth over 10 billion baht take place here every year.
The agencies are checking international financial transactions from abroad in response to an instruction from the government.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has asked them to investigate any unusual flows of money from abroad, to see if the money was being used to stir up political violence. |
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| By King-Oua Laohong and Cheewin Sattha |
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| Bangkok Post, 04 March 2010 |
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