Crime Karen Man Arrested for Illegal Gold Prospecting in Thong Pha Phum National Park

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Authorities have arrested a 19-year-old Karen man for illegally excavating soil in search of gold within Thong Pha Phum National Park, while nine others involved in the activity fled the scene.

 

The operation took place in the Pilok Ki forest, Moo 4, Pilok sub-district, Thong Pha Phum district, Kanchanaburi province. The raid was led by Mr Chakrit Tanpirun, District Chief of Thong Pha Phum, and Mr Yutthapong Damsrisuk, Chief of Thong Pha Phum National Park, under the coordination of Mr Chutidet Kamonchanut, Director of Protected Areas Regional Office 3 (Ban Pong).

 

The operation was launched following a tip-off from a local community leader, who reported that individuals had returned to illegally mine gold in a previously seized 14-rai plot, an area where an earlier case had resulted in arrests and asset confiscation (Case 11/2024, Asset Seizure 3/2024).

 

The arrested suspect, identified only as Mr Chaidan, a stateless Karen man with a recognised ID card, resides in Tha Khanun sub-district, Thong Pha Phum district. He was apprehended at the site, while nine others managed to escape into the surrounding forest.

 

Authorities confiscated items of evidence from the scene,

 

Mr Chaidan faces multiple charges under environmental and forestry laws, including:

 

• Illegal deforestation and encroachment under the Forest Act 1941

• Degradation of reserved forest land under the National Reserved Forest Act 1964

• Alteration of national park land under the National Parks Act 2019

• Illegal excavation of minerals affecting ecosystems, also under the National Parks Act 2019

• Operating unauthorised commercial activities within a protected area

 

“This conduct poses a serious threat to natural resources in an essential watershed forest. We are pursuing strict legal action and will continue to track down those who fled to ensure they face justice,” said Mr Chutidet.

 

The suspect has been handed over to investigators at Pilok Police Station for prosecution.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-20.

 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

And the five soldiers said: Let´s focus on that one so we at least catch one of them. 😂