ABOVE: Rescue workers inspect human remains dug from graves in Songkhla, in May. Photo: AFP
Thai cops have suggested that the former chief of a high-profile anti-trafficking probe afraid for his life may be planning to leave the country for a “relaxing holiday”.
Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin, who quit the force over fears for his personal safety, is believed to be planning to leave Thailand with his family, after saying he feared reprisal attacks from the powerful trafficking network for his success in the police operation, Prachatai reported.
“There are existing threats against me” linked to his team’s pursuit of military figures, Paween told AFP before he quit, saying messages had been relayed to him that he “should be cautious”.
However the police force seems to be more relaxed about Paween’s safety and his plans to flee.
“Maybe he’s going on holiday?” police spokesman Songpol suggested to Khaosod English.
“I don’t know what’s on his mind. Maybe he felt disappointed by the transfer order, so he quit in protest, and used this opportunity to go on vacation and relax.”
ABOVE: Lt Gen Manas Kongpan, a suspected human trafficker, is escorted by officers as he arrives at the criminal court in Bangkok last week. Photo: Reuters
Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin had headed the high-profile operation to crack down on human traffickers after the discovery in May of mass graves and 26 corpses, believed to be of Rohingya refugees who fell victim to traffickers, in Songkhla near the Malaysian border.
The probe netted 91 suspects, including senior army commander Lt Gen Manas Kongpaen and the ex-head of Satun Provincial Administration Organisation. Arrest warrants are still outstanding for a further 62 suspects.
However Paween told Matichon Online he had upset senior figures in the military and had been reprimanded for the high-profile arrests.
When he was transferred to the deep South where traffickers are at their most active, his protests to his superiors that he feared being targeted by the criminals there went unheard and he decided to quit.
Before his resignation, 88 human trafficking suspects appeared in court last week in Bangkok.
Paween said then: “I am truly sorry about this. I still want to be a policeman and be useful to society.”
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