Forest Ranger Attacked by Local Resident After Warning Against Illegal Burning

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

A national park ranger in Kanchanaburi was assaulted by a local resident after warning him against setting fire to the forest. The suspect fled the scene, and authorities have launched an investigation.

On 12 March, Khunakon Boonkuasong, head of Srinakarin Dam National Park, escorted Samart Klinhom, a 31-year-old park ranger stationed at Protection Unit SNR 8 (Nam Mut), to Sri Sawat Police Station to file a complaint against a local resident identified as Prakit. The complaint was lodged following an attack that left the ranger injured.

The incident occurred on the night of 11 March, when Samart and three other rangers were patrolling the park to monitor hotspot areas for forest fires. They travelled by motorbike and concluded their patrol at approximately 21:00 before heading back to their base at Protection Unit SNR 8 (Nam Mut).

Samart, who was riding behind his colleagues, noticed a suspicious individual appearing to set fire to the forest near Ban Nam Mut, Village 7, Dan Mae Chalaep Subdistrict, Sri Sawat District, Kanchanaburi, about 100 metres from the entrance to the ranger station. He stopped to warn the man, explaining that setting fires could cause harm to both the forest and the local community.

Shortly after, as Samart continued towards the station, the suspect followed him on a motorbike. At a junction near the ranger station, the suspect deliberately rammed Samart’s motorbike, causing him to crash. The assailant then got off his vehicle and physically assaulted Samart, targeting his face.

With his leg pinned under his fallen motorbike, Samart was unable to defend himself. After the attack, the suspect quickly fled into the darkness.

Following the incident, Samart contacted his fellow rangers, who had already reached the station, for assistance. The village head of Ban Nam Mut, upon learning of the attack, also arrived to help and arranged for Samart to be taken to Thakadan Hospital for treatment. He sustained swelling and bruising around his mouth and eyes.

Samart’s family expressed deep concern over the attack, as they were initially unaware of the assailant’s identity. However, after further investigation, authorities identified the suspect as Prakit and issued a summons for him to report to the police for questioning and legal proceedings.

Samart has vowed to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law.

-- 2025-03-13