In what feels like a scene ripped straight from a dramatic thriller, popular police influencer Jonny the Investigator finds himself embroiled in a scandal over his recently unveiled resort. Nestled in the serene surroundings of the Lam Dom Noi Self-Development Settlement, Sirindhorn district, Ubon Ratchathani province, this picturesque retreat is allegedly built on illegally encroached forest land. The controversy involves 32-year-old ex-cop Yutthaphon Srisompong, who reportedly leaped from law enforcement to resort development, erecting raft accommodations and pool villas amidst whispers of protection violations.
The saga unspooled when a formal grievance was lodged, alleging that the resort had audaciously encroached protected forest areas. Police inquiries corroborated these allegations, unearthing initial evidence of illegal encroachment. The picturesque plot, required to maintain 20% of its area as forest land, lies in a self-development zone where land use doesn’t proceed without a bureaucratic nod from the Department of Social Development and Welfare’s head honcho. In Srisompong’s case, however, the necessary papers went conspicuously unsigned.
To heap more turmoil onto an already teetering tower, the construction permits for the resort were, to put it lightly, improperly sanctioned. The area is strongly protected against unauthorized building work, yet, through some dubious maneuvering, the permits materialized, stamping a questionable mark on the resort’s foundations and setting off a probe to unearth who paved the way for these unlawful developments. Police are sharpening their legal eagles, poised to clutch those found culpable in the encroachment escapade, as reported by KhaoSod.
Meanwhile, the echoes of controversy are far from silent. The Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division is embroiled in its probe, this time involving the ‘VIP Runway’, a rogue airstrip carved out in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. Here, a public road seems to have flirted with privatization, caught midway as it supposedly transformed into a personal runway, courtesy of some mysterious machinations – a revelation that incited lawyer Phattarapong Supakson to lodge a formal complaint.
DSI investigators have unearthed that the runway sprawls 19 meters in width and a full kilometer in length, with a cheeky 450-meter segment straddling a public path now nestled within the confines of an exclusive golf course. As this inquiry unfurls, the DSI eagerly awaits responses from five government agencies to illuminate this tale of unexpected take-off.
While the spotlight firmly captures these gripping tales, the theater of Thailand’s news scene plays host to a symphony of other stories. Be it the unraveling of a staggeringly sophisticated 2.7 million baht charity fraud in Kanchanaburi, a ‘nutty’ heist in Pattaya featuring a coconut thief hidden amongst cassava plants, or the comedic blunders of a reputed jokester embroiled in an accidental escapade in Bangkok, entertainment knows no bounds.
Meanwhile, in Bueng Kan, a feud driven by jealousy escalated into the chilling actions of a village chief, and tales of Russian tourists pouring into Thailand amidst global tumult affirm the country’s drawing power. Not far in the narrative, the arena of global sporting events saw Cambodia apologizing for placing a buffalo where it ought not to be – on the Sea Games logo. These tales, woven together, remind us that in the land of smiles, every turn is another page in an unpredictable story, never shying away from the daring, the desperate, and the delightfully absurd.
It’s wild how these influencers think they can build anything anywhere without a care for the law. The forest is supposed to be protected, not a playground for their resorts!
Totally agree! And it’s not just any forest; we’re talking about protected land. How do you even get away with that kind of thing?
Probably the usual: money, connections, and some shady deals behind closed doors. They think they’re untouchable until the law steps in.
But you have to admit, the resort idea in such a picturesque place sounds tempting. Wouldn’t blame folks for wanting to stay there!
Doesn’t this sound like another rich guy using his influence? It makes you wonder how many more are getting away with this stuff elsewhere!
Well, how did he even get the permits? Someone in the government needs to answer for this too.
Absolutely! There’s no way this would pass without someone turning a blind eye. Corruption is everywhere and we keep seeing it.
Exactly, every time it’s the same story. How are we supposed to trust these institutions to respect our environment?
But what if they thought they had legal grounds? It’s the authorities who should have double-checked before signing off!
I don’t think this is just about Jonny. It seems like a whole network might be involved, all pulling strings behind the scenes.
I bet there’s a whole list of people who had a hand in this. Orchestrating something on this scale isn’t a solo act.
The whole YouTuber culture might be feeding into this – fame and money going to their heads! More worried about their image than legality.
You’re right, social media fame comes with responsibilities they clearly aren’t prepared for. They influence others to think they can get away with it too.
Not all of them are bad, though. Some do good with their platforms, it’s just the few that give the rest a bad name.
The situation with that ‘VIP Runway’ sounds even crazier! What on earth were they thinking, carving out a runway like that?
It’s like a plot out of a bad movie! Does anyone know if it was actually used for anything or just a vanity project?
Good question! And how much public money got wasted on that ‘runway’ compared to actually helpful projects?
This forest encroachment is a serious issue. We need stricter laws and real enforcement to protect our natural habitats!
Environmental laws are only as good as their enforcement. Without proper checks, they’re just words on paper.
Why are we surprised? A lot of these resorts probably started like this, built illegally to avoid the long permit process.
It’s sad but true. I mean, who wants to wait years for permits when you can cut a few corners? Not saying it’s right, but it happens.
When will people learn that exploiting nature always comes back to haunt us? It’s just not worth it in the long run.
Laws and regulations need some serious updates, especially with all the loopholes these guys seem to exploit so well.
More than ever, we need public awareness. If we keep silent, these scandals won’t stop. Speak up, people!
I just can’t get over the audacity of these people. And the fact that they’re often the ones who comment on needing more regulations for others!
Not surprised. This is just one of many such controversies. Seems whenever money is involved, morals go out the window.
Such controversies keep popping up, but does anything ever really change? Feels like a never-ending cycle.