A FORMER Special Branch police officer said today (Sep. 20) that he has submitted a letter requesting a meeting with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to relate allegations about four executive politicians within his Bhumjaithai party with two of them who now ministers allegedly being major shareholders in a Cambodian casino, Amarin TV said.
Mr. Santhana Prayoonrat, who was formerly a Special Branch deputy superintendent, further alleged in an interview with this TV station that these two ministers had reaped enormous profits from operating this business for over 10 years.
Even so he would not reveal their names saying he would do so to the Prime Minister should he meet him and would also give him all the details.
He insisted that he is not taking this step to negotiate or do business with anyone and is only speaking up because he felt sorry for soldiers and the civilians who had lost their lives in the border conflict with Cambodia.
Santhana also asked why Thailand, with its superior combat capabilities, had quickly signed a ceasefire with Cambodia on July 28 after five days of clashes and whether this was for personal gain.
He admitted that as a businessman he was not completely clean but he insisted that he knew who is who and while he normally does not get involved in other people’s affairs, this involved the country.
Regarding Tha Sen casino encroaching on Thai territory at Trat province this is again because politicians were involved in dividing benefits leading to loss of sovereign territory, he alleged.
In an earlier interview with PPTVHD 36 the former policeman said while there is a casino at Cambodia’s Koh Kong province, this is 79 km from Trat City district and difficult to reach. The Cambodian investor, Thai government officials, including Marines, police and administrative officials, have enjoyed a cordial relationship for over 20 years.
The Tha Sen casino which is encroaching on Thai territory is owned by a different group, including Cambodian political leaders, Chinese grey capitalists, and a group of Thai politicians. It is nearer the city district and more easily accessible by gamblers. The area has been opened as a trade relaxation point and efforts are underway to make it a permanent border crossing.
He warned that if Anutin refused to meet him he would directly attack the party while urging politicians to stop doing business and prioritise national interest and only resume doing so after border tensions eased,
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Top and Front Page: Former policeman Santhana Prayoonrat. Photos – Amarin TV
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