NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljiak said the commission, which is handling the investigation itself to expedite charges against wrongdoers, would convene this week to discuss its approach to the probe and invite witnesses to give testimony.

The NACC last week announced an official investigation into the case after finding grounds to proceed with the case.

Twenty-six people, including the former ministers and top executives of THAI, have been linked to the scandal and will be invited to testify before the NACC.

From 2004-05, THAI, under the supervision of the Transport Ministry and the flag-carrier’s board of directors, placed orders for six Boeing 777-200ER jets and one Airbus A340-500/600 equipped with Rolls-Royce engines.

The multibillion-baht deal was the third major order placed by THAI in connection with alleged bribes paid by Rolls-Royce to win favour for its aircraft engines. The first and second deals took place during 1991-92 and 1992-97.

Altogether, about Bt1.2 billion in alleged bribes was paid to the Thai government and airline officials for the three major deals from 1991 to 2005, according to evidence from the UK’s Serious Fraud Office.

However, the NACC said the statute of limitations had expired for cases which took place between 1991 and 1997, so it could not pursue criminal action against alleged wrongdoers.

It is now also examining evidence to decide whether or not a sub-panel should be set up to investigate another deal concerning PTT Plc, Sansern said.

DNP deputy director-general Adisorn Noochdumrong revealed the good news for conservationists on Thai Elephant Day.

Adisorn said the number of wild elephant was rising at a rate between 7 to 10 per cent. Areas that had seen the most marked increase in wild elephants were the Western forest in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary and Eastern forest in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex.

“This is the outstanding outcome of our efforts to protect the forest ecosystem and conserve wild elephants. We have worked at reintroducing the wild elephants to the forest and building up food sources for the elephants in the forest,” Adisorn said.

“We are happy with this success but will still continue our efforts to preserve our national symbol and let the elephants live peacefully with the people.”

Sup Langka Wildlife Sanctuary chief Wasan Klomchinda said wild elephants had been extinct in Lopburi province several decades ago, but beginning with a reintroduction project in 2004, 25 elephants had been released in the wild, reproducing to number a total population of 44.

Wasan said in order to celebrate Thai Elephant Day this year, the army and local people had built the salt lick and constructed weirs to store water to accommodate the increasing number of elephants.

He added that wild elephants and residents near the forest lived in harmony, while the elephants also helped reforestation efforts and enhanced the biodiversity of the forest.

WildAid united 15 prominent business leaders with a pledge to never use elephant ivory or other wildlife products.

In a show of solidarity, the nation’s top business leaders joined its call and urged stronger enforcement and more effective wildlife conservation action.

Thailand is a major destination market and trans-shipment hub to China and other markets for ivory products primarily from some of the roughly 33,000 elephants poached annually in Africa.

To help raise awareness on this issue WildAid enlisted the help of William Ellwood Heinecke, chairman and CEO of Minor International Pcl, to spearhead the effort by asking fellow business leaders to join the pledge and stand united against the illegal ivory trade.

“As business leaders, I think we can lead by example to help raise awareness about this critical issue in Thailand, help reduce demand for ivory and demonstrate the Thai public’s strong commitment to protecting elephants and the environment. Because when the buying stops, the killing can too,” said Heinecke.

Among the business leaders joining Heinecke was former deputy prime minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula and several from Thailand’s Forbes 2016 list including Santi Bhirombhakdi, president of Boonrawd Brewerly Co Ltd; Harald Link, managing partner of the B Grimm Group of Companies, and Banthoon Lamsam, CEO and chairman of the board of directors for Kasikorn Bank.

In an effort to grow corporate support in Thailand to end the elephant ivory trade, WildAid published the complete list of initial signatories, known as the Founders’ Circle, on the campaign website (www.ivoryfreethai.org). It is being promoted throughout the country to encourage more business leaders and the Thai public to take the pledge.

These efforts will soon be supported with public service announcements and visual advertisements in major cities.

“The business elite in Thailand, and the public, when aware of the problem, are very supportive of conservation,” said WildAid Asia program manager, Brian Adams.

“We are hopeful for the current government to reconsider its stance to gradually ban all ivory trading in the country, joining China, the United States and Hong Kong that have pledged landmark commitments to phase out their ivory trade as per the newly adopted CITES resolution.”

The NRSA usually convenes on Monday and Tuesday each week to discuss and pass report proposals or draft bill proposals concerning reform.

However, from the last week of February until this week, the Assembly called off the meetings to give its subcommittees and panels time to work.

Last month, the assembly only convened on only one day – February 20.

The move has raised questions about whether members are working hard enough.

The cancellation of the six meetings is the longest period the NRSA has not met.

NRSA members earned Bt71,230 a month for their membership of the body and receive a Bt42,330 monthly allowance for a Bt113,560 total.

“We were conducting a random check following the policy of keeping an eye on every vehicle entering Phuket. So we stopped a pick-up truck and asked to search the vehicle,” said Tah Chat Chai Police superintendent Col Prawit Sutthirueangarun.

The driver, Sumet Lamoot, 35, confessed that the krathom belonged to him.

“He said he bought the leaves, from the Sadao district in Songkhla, for 290 baht/kg and sold them to Burmese workers in Pa Khlok for 500 baht/kg,” he added.

Sumet was charged with possession of a category 5 drug with intent to sell, and was taken to Tah Chat Chai Police Station for further legal processing.