By Thai Newsroom Reporters
FORMER DEPUTY AGRICULTURE & cooperatives minister Prapat Bhothasuthon is sooner than later bound to categorically deny allegations that he had been involved in the smuggling and illegal trading of pork and entrails, said Chart Thai leader Varawut Silpa-archa today (Nov.21).
Varawut, who concurrently performs as social development & human security minister, suggested that Prapat, the current Chart Thai secretary-general, promptly give a press conference to supposedly dismiss the accusations being launched against him over the reported illegal trade of pork and entrails whose selling prices had considerably undercut those of the domestic product.
However, the Chart Thai leader stopped short of denying such allegations on behalf of the former deputy agriculture & cooperatives minister and said Prapat would have been formally charged and arrested by the authorities only if he had been involved as alleged.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today instructed Justice Minister Thavi Sodsong to manage to bring the “biggest”, unnamed smuggling suspects to justice in prompt fashion, said government spokesman Chai Watcharong.
In particular, the prime minister suggested the Department of Special Investigation, an agency under control of the Ministry of Justice, play a leading part in combating the illegal trade with concrete progress in any anti-smuggling missions being expected by the middle of next week, he said.
The prime minister has earlier taken the authorities involved to task for having carried out such missions against the pork and entrails contraband in belated manner and pressed for arrest of any suspected masterminds of those smugglers.
CAPTION:
Chart Thai leader Varawut Silpa-archa with an image of former deputy agriculture & cooperatives minister and the party’s secretary-general Prapat Bhothasuthon inset. Photo: Matichon
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