Crime Prominent Meditation Centre Under Investigation for Encroachment

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

All current and former chiefs of Khao Laem National Park are facing investigation after authorities uncovered a large-scale illegal development by an unregistered meditation centre operating within protected forest land in Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi.

 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) released images showing extensive construction underway at the site, which they later confirmed to be part of the Dhamma Kanchana Vipassana Centre. Officials found at least 24 permanent structures erected without permission, alongside evidence of illegal logging and forest clearance.

 

Satellite coordinates confirmed the entire 15-rai area to be within the boundaries of Khao Laem National Park. The area had not been registered or surveyed under Section 64 of the National Park Act, rendering all development illegal.

 

Authorities discovered multiple felled logs from protected tree species, including mai daeng (Xylia xylocarpa) and makha (Afzelia xylocarpa). Heavy machinery and construction vehicles, such as a concrete mixer, crane, backhoe, and six-wheeled truck, were seized from the site.

 

A woman identified only as Rungarun, who claimed to serve as a document officer for the centre, was present at the scene. She produced a registration form from a private foundation but failed to present any legal documentation for land ownership or building permission.

The Dhamma Kanchana centre had reportedly been operating as a private retreat, accepting online bookings. Its ownership and sources of funding remain unclear. Officials allege that the centre began as a small meditation shelter and gradually expanded into a significant illegal development.

 

Park Chief Dome Chansuwan, who assumed his position six months ago, stated that he acted immediately upon receiving a public tip-off. He said the crackdown followed clear instructions from DNP Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa to take decisive action against encroachment and illegal logging in protected areas.

 

Athapol confirmed that a total of seven criminal charges have been filed with Sangkhla Buri Police, including:

 

• Illegal encroachment and land clearance within a national park

• Destruction and removal of natural resources from a protected area

• Unauthorised use of national reserved forest land

• Felling of protected tree species without a permit

• Damaging forest ecosystems for personal gain

• Possession of unmarked protected timber

• Possession and use of an unlicensed chainsaw

 

The department has also mobilised additional personnel from nearby national parks, Thong Pha Phum and Lam Khlong Ngu, to conduct further inspection and gather evidence.

 

The case has sparked public concern due to the scale of deforestation in one of Thailand’s most ecologically significant forest reserves. Khao Laem National Park is home to diverse wildlife and is a crucial watershed area in the region.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-18.