Abstract:
The researcher found that Thais government officers inefficiently employ criminal measures to solve pollution problems and protect environment. This is because of a conflict of power among officers and a lack of collaboration between enforcement officers and justice officers. To solve the aforementioned problems, the researcher examined authorities and duties of pollution-control officers and compared them with authorities and duties of foreign pollution-control officers. In conclusion, Thailand should improve laws in terms of giving pollution-control officers an authority to investigate on pollution criminal offence. The officers may consult with prosecutors on case matters and requests assistances from police officers on investigation support deemed appropriate. Moreover, Thailand should establish an organization similar to the Central Institute of Forensic Science Thailand, Ministry of Justice, or the Office of Forensic Science, Royal Thai Police. The organization should specialize in environmental science and technology, so it has ability to provide proofs of the criminal conviction for pollution offence.