Illegal Gold Mining Operation Busted in Thong Pha Phum National Park

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Authorities have apprehended three individuals involved in illegal gold mining activities within Thong Pha Phum National Park, Kanchanaburi. The operation followed a directive issued by the Thong Pha Phum District on November 19, 2024, aimed at cracking down on forestry-related offenses.

 

During patrols, officials discovered a newly excavated site, approximately 17 kilometres from Pilok Kee Village and 7 kilometres from the Thai-Myanmar border. The area featured pits measuring 1x1 metres and as deep as 5-10 metres. Evidence of bamboo structures used for soil and rock filtering, as well as makeshift shelters, was also found.

 

Authorities detained two individuals at the site:

 

• Mr. A Chong, 32, a stateless person, found with five items of equipment used for mining.

• Mr. Anusorn, 35, a Thai national, discovered with 18 items of equipment.

 

A third suspect, Mr. Sochi, of Karen ethnicity, was arrested at a checkpoint. Upon searching his bag, officials found fragments of gold ore. He admitted to mining gold illegally in the seized area, which was corroborated by photographic evidence.

 

A total of 12 items of mining equipment were confiscated, and the three suspects were handed over to the Pilok Police Station for legal action. They face six charges, including:

 

1. Unauthorized forest clearing and occupation under the Forest Act of 1941.

2. Illegal possession of cleared forest land, presumed to have been cleared by the possessor.

3. Degradation of a national reserved forest under the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964.

4. Encroachment and environmental damage within a national park under the National Parks Act of 2019.

5. Illegal collection of natural resources causing ecological harm under the National Parks Act of 2019.

6. Unauthorized commercial activities within a national park under the National Parks Act of 2019.

 

The park’s chief, Mr. Yuthapong Damsrisuk, stated that further surveillance is underway to intercept other individuals suspected of hiding in the forest near the border. Entry points to the illegal mining site have been sealed, and authorities are working closely with the Border Patrol Police Unit 135 and local administrative agencies to prevent further incursions.

 

Picture of the mine entrance.

-- 2024-11-27

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

A square hole10 metres deep? Virtually impossible to dig by hand. Was one of the confiscated pieces of mining equipment a drilling/boring rig?

[Olmate]

Please explain why, square easier to shaw up. Dug our well, shawing with plank and sheets, 15 mtrs no problem? 

[Denim]

9 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

A square hole10 metres deep? Virtually impossible to dig by hand. Was one of the confiscated pieces of mining equipment a drilling/boring rig?

 

Maybe not. I remember this extract from Mark Twains ' Following the Equator '  while he was traveling in Australia :

 

 

Sir George Grey and Mr. Eyre testify that the natives dug wells fourteen or fifteen feet deep and two feet in diameter at the bore--dug them in the sand--wells that were "quite circular, carried straight down, and the work beautifully executed."

Their tools were their hands and feet. How did they throw sand out from such a depth? How could they stoop down and get it, with only two feet of space to stoop in? How did they keep that sand-pipe from caving in on them? I do not know. Still, they did manage those seeming impossibilities. Swallowed the sand, may be.

[chickenslegs]

20 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

A square hole10 metres deep? Virtually impossible to dig by hand. Was one of the confiscated pieces of mining equipment a drilling/boring rig?

Maybe not vertical, but sloping down to 10 metres. Drift mine style. That would make it easier to dig out and remove the soil/rock.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Thanks Denim that's an interesting anecdote. Finding such miners in more modern times would be difficult.

I agree with chickenslegs, the 'pits' are more likely adits dug by someone who is not claustrophobic!