Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong Putrakul, known as Professor Tong. He reveals the background of his dismissal, insists on continuing to seek justice in the case involving 140 trucks hauling soil, and challenges the university to hold a joint press conference to present the evidence.
At 10:00 a.m. on 2 April 2026, at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong Putrakul, or Professor Tong, a criminologist, went to submit a letter to Police General Kittirat Phanphet, the National Police Chief, regarding a dispute with Rangsit University following his sudden dismissal.
Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong stated that the main reason for his dismissal was not due to any neglect of duties but was a consequence of his role as chair of the fact-finding committee investigating the unauthorized removal of soil from the university grounds involving over 140 trucks.
“This issue began when I was appointed by the former university president to chair the committee tasked with fact-finding and disciplinary consideration for this matter. The committee included experts from various sectors: the vice president, assistant vice president, director of the personnel office, legal officers, and representatives from the police.”
Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong said that after thoroughly gathering evidence—including photographs, CCTV footage, witness testimony, and related documents—the committee unanimously concluded that the accused violated university regulations and confirmed that the material removed was soil. Furthermore, key evidence showed that the company hauling the soil had admitted responsibility to the university, and witnesses confirmed that a deputy director authorized the soil trucks to leave after they had initially been blocked.
“The former vice president of safety revealed that at that time, the university president authorized a lawyer to file a criminal complaint with the Pak Khlong Rangsit police station for theft against the employer, a criminal offense that cannot be amicably settled. However, the case has seen little progress: no summonses for the hundreds of truck drivers, no route investigations, no soil dumping site inspections, and no financial inquiries into those involved.”
Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong added that he had sent letters inquiring about the investigation's progress to the National Police Chief and the Commander of Provincial Police Region 1 since December of last year but had yet to receive official written responses. After his dismissal, he recently submitted a second letter to the National Police Chief to follow up on the case and demand justice as a citizen who wants to see the law enforced fairly.
He pointed to a key turning point on 9 July last year when the university changed its president, citing strategic adjustments. Subsequently, he learned that the complaint had been withdrawn. The investigating officer considered that since the university, as the property owner, had appointed a new committee and deemed no damage had occurred, no further action was taken.
From a legal perspective, Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong stated that theft against an employer is a criminal offense against the state. Even if the complaint is withdrawn, the investigation must continue and cannot be terminated simply because the victim does not pursue the case.
Regarding the university's explanation that the material removed was waste, not soil, and allegations that his information was false, Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong affirmed he possesses complete evidence, including CCTV footage and License Plate Recognition (LPR) system records that accurately document the date, time, and license plates of every vehicle entering and leaving the university.
Additionally, examination of two payment documents showed that the then vice president for administration, who had authority to approve such matters, clearly confirmed “no approval or permission was given for hauling either soil or waste.” He challenged the university to hold a joint press conference to reveal evidence point by point, inviting representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and police officers to participate to demonstrate transparency and good governance.
Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong also mentioned his investigations into other irregularities, stating that he filed complaints to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation four times (16 July last year, 1 December last year, 6 January this year, and 23 February this year) concerning conflicts of interest and improper appointments of new administrators. However, the ministry responded only that the university had clarified it conducted proper investigations and procedures, without thoroughly examining the facts.
Toward the end of the interview, Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong acknowledged awareness of internal conflicts within the university’s power structure and noted he had been cautioned by close associates. Nonetheless, he proceeded with the investigation because he was directly ordered by the former university president, who trusted his integrity and experience as a former police officer.
“Although the university has never recognized the merits of my founding the criminology faculty 17 years ago or my reforms to the security system, and even though they have treated me harshly, that is acceptable. But they must not undermine justice in this country... Now I am unemployed, but justice has never left my heart,” said Associate Professor Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Krisanapong.