Crime Two Karen Men Arrested for Illegal Gold Mining in Protected Forest in Kanchanaburi

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Daily News.

 

Authorities in Kanchanaburi have arrested two  ethnic Karen men for illegally mining gold in a forest watershed area within Thong Pha Phum National Park, causing environmental damage estimated at nearly two million baht.

 

The operation, conducted on 19 July, was a joint effort led by Mr. Chakrit Tanpirul, District Chief of Thong Pha Phum, Colonel Phannasak Phriwpanit and Colonel Piyanes Patrasasawatwong from the Ladhya Task Force, along with Sub-Lieutenant Thanachot Humphae, and Mr. Yutthapong Damsrisuk, Chief of Thong Pha Phum National Park.

 

The team targeted the Pilok Kee forest in Moo 4, Pilok Subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum District, an area overlapping the Khao Laem National Park and Khao Chang Phueak Reserved Forest. This region has previously seen illegal excavation for gold, including a notable case in November 2024, which led to natural resource damage valued at over 1.18 million baht. The area is a critical Class 1A watershed zone.

 

In preparation for this latest operation, authorities implemented an integrated air and ground surveillance plan, including aerial reconnaissance and patrolling.

 

The operation led to the arrest of two suspects: Mr. Thusanu, aged 41, and Mr. Nainai, aged 29, both of Karen ethnicity and without official citizenship status. The men reside in the village of Kering Kla, Pilok Subdistrict. Confiscated items included 4.9 kilograms of soil samples in plastic bags, three head torches, a hammock, two blue sack backpacks and a motorcycle.

 

The suspects face multiple charges under forestry and conservation laws, including:

 

• Illegal forest destruction and occupation under the Forest Act B.E. 2484 (1941)

 

• Unauthorised use of land within a national reserved forest under the National Reserved Forest Act B.E. 2507 (1964)

 

• Encroachment and exploitation of national park land under the National Park Act B.E. 2562 (2019)

 

Both men, along with the seized evidence, were handed over to Pilok Police Station for legal proceedings.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-07-21