Illegal Logging Gang Arrested After Fatal Forest Ranger Crash: Kalasin

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Authorities have apprehended the driver of a pickup truck involved in a high-speed chase that led to a fatal crash, resulting in the death of a forest ranger and the injury of two others.

 

The incident occurred when Palawat Chanaboon, known as "Sak," head of Forest Protection Unit 4 under the Nakhon Phanom branch of the Forest Resources Management Office, died in a car accident on September 9. The crash took place in Bo Kaeo Subdistrict, Nakhu District, Kalasin Province, while officials were pursuing a timber trafficking operation originating from Phu Phan District, Sakon Nakhon Province.

 

 

On September 10, Provincial Police Chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Triwit Sriprapha revealed details of the case, explaining that Forest Protection Unit 4 officers had been following a pickup truck involved in illegal logging. The pursuit began in Lub Lao Subdistrict, Phu Phan District, and continued into Bo Kaeo Subdistrict, Nakhu District.

 

As the chase neared a downhill road in Bo Kaeo, the bumper of the officials’ vehicle struck the rear of the suspects' pickup. Despite attempts by the forest officers to force the suspects to stop, the driver refused to pull over. This resulted in the officials’ losing control of the vehicle and overturning, causing the death of Mr. Palawat and injuring two other officers, who are now in stable condition after receiving treatment at Nakhu Hospital.

 

Following the crash, Police Colonel Chaiphon Phonlayiem, the local police chief, was ordered to expedite the arrest of the suspects. Police managed to apprehend 55-year-old Sombat while he was hiding in a field near Bo Kaeo. Authorities seized the pickup truck used in the escape and the illegally harvested timber, bringing Sombat in for questioning.

 

Sombat now faces charges of unauthorized possession of timber and reckless driving resulting in injury and death. Further legal action regarding the illegal logging activities will be handled by the Phu Phan Police. Efforts are still underway to track down the second suspect involved in the case.

The death of Mr. Palawat has been met with grief by colleagues in the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, as well as other officials in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Kalasin Provincial Environment Chief, Wittaya Panjamart, has reported the incident to senior authorities, including Kalasin Governor Sannan Phongaksorn.

 

The funeral of Mr. Palawat will be held in his hometown in Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province.

 

-- 2024-09-11

 

 

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[brianthainess]

I mean condolences and all that, but pursuing in such a dangerous way and putting your colleagues in danger too. Do they not have radios that they could have radioed ahead.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Following the crash, Police Colonel Chaiphon Phonlayiem, the local police chief, was ordered to expedite the arrest of the suspects.

 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, brianthainess said:

I mean condolences and all that, but pursuing in such a dangerous way and putting your colleagues in danger too. Do they not have radios that they could have radioed ahead.

 

Radios but not a plan.

[Georgealbert]

The dash-cam footage from the car is below.