Picture courtesy of Workpoint.

 

Two Vietnamese men have been arrested after allegedly being caught illegally digging for gold ore in a protected forest area in Loei province. The incident took place in the public forestland near Ban Bong village in Na Pong subdistrict, Mueang Loei district.

 

On the evening of 14 May, police at Mueang Loei Police Station, led by Pol Sub Lt Warinya Kulnonleutsin, were alerted by local residents who had apprehended the two suspects while they were engaged in unauthorised gold prospecting activities. Officers from the forestry department, the village headman and other local authorities were dispatched to the site.

 

Approximately two kilometres from the village, authorities found that villagers had detained the two Vietnamese men, identified only as Mr Dao and Mr Nguyen and brought them to the police station. At the scene, officials discovered a large excavation pit measuring around 3 metres in width and over 5 metres deep. They also found two sacks of gold-bearing soil, as well as shovels, hoes, a wheelbarrow, and a motorcycle believed to have been used in the operation.

 

During questioning, the suspects reportedly confessed to digging up the soil to pan for gold, which they intended to sell. They admitted that they had been conducting this activity in the forest, which is part of a national reserve. Local residents claimed the site has been targeted by illegal prospectors for several years, and several arrests have previously been made in the same area.

 

The two men now face multiple charges, including:

 

• Trespassing and damaging a national forest reserve without permission

• Illegal entry into the Kingdom of Thailand

• Working without a legal permit

 

All confiscated items have been seized as evidence, and the suspects have been handed over for prosecution. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to protecting natural resources and enforcing regulations against illegal mining activities.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-05-16.

 

 

 

 

Strange kind of zero dollar tourism !