Two Arrested for Illegal Crop Burning in Phichit, Found with Lighters in Hand

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

Two men have been arrested in Phichit province after being caught red-handed setting fire to rice stubble, contributing to thick smog and hazardous PM2.5 pollution across the region. One of the suspects was found holding a lighter at the scene, authorities confirmed.

 

Police Colonel Natthakrit Noikampan, Superintendent of Subdivision 4 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division (NED), led the operation in cooperation with local investigators and disaster prevention officials. The first suspect, Mr. Suchart, a local resident of Tambon Thainam in Pho Thale district, was found burning rice stubble in a field approximately 500 metres from the Pho Thale–Bang Lai Road.

 

The fire produced heavy smoke which drifted across the road, severely reducing visibility for motorists and increasing the risk of serious accidents. Mr. Suchart admitted to the offence and was charged under the Land Traffic Act with “causing a hazard that impacts traffic safety.”

 

In a separate incident, officers apprehended Mr. Krisana in Bang Mun Nak district with two lighters in his possession. He had set fire to stubble in a field in Tambon Hokrai, affecting more than 50 rai of land, including areas near roads, wooded zones, and close to residential areas. The thick smoke spread for several kilometres, posing significant health risks to nearby communities.

During questioning, Mr. Krisana confessed that he had been paid to burn the stubble and had not anticipated the scale of the fire or the volume of smoke it would produce. He was charged under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act for “causing a public danger.”

 

Both suspects were handed over to investigators at Pho Thale and Bang Mun Nak police stations for legal proceedings.

 

Colonel Natthakrit noted that illegal burning activities have increased during night-time hours, with offenders often fleeing the scene before authorities arrive. “These individuals are fully aware that their actions are illegal, yet they continue to violate the law intentionally,” he said. “Open burning causes widespread harm, not only to the air and visibility but also to public health and safety. Authorities will continue to take firm and immediate action against violators.”

 

-- 2025-04-07

 

 

[ozz1]

They have caught 2 people big deal what about all the farmers burning that's ok  just go up in the air and anyone can see what's going on and they complain about pollution

[metisdead]

A troll post has been removed.

[worgeordie]

They should be charged with arson ,and be made an example of,say 5 years,

that should make others think twice before they set fire to stubble ,forests,

a 1000 Baht fine is not a deterrent to anyone .

 

Burning should be taken a lot more serious , it affects people's health , is bad

for tourism ,the authorities ,every year say they are going to do something

about it , but never do 

 

regards Worgeordie 

 

[Moonlover]

6 hours ago, ozz1 said:

They have caught 2 people big deal what about all the farmers burning that's ok  just go up in the air and anyone can see what's going on and they complain about pollution

 

If they were to go up in the air, what they would see it that most of the burning that is affecting Thailand's air quality right now is across the border in Laos. Can't do much about that can they.