Park Rangers Arrest 4 Illegal Gold Miners in National Park

Picture courtesy of Naewna.

Park officials in Kanchanaburi have arrested four foreign nationals for illegally mining gold in a protected watershed area of Thong Pha Phum National Park, following a covert operation deep in the forest.

Mr. Chutidet Kamonnachanutham, Director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 3 (Ban Pong), confirmed that the arrests took place between 11–13 August, in the Pilok Khi forest, Moo 4, Pilok sub-district, Thong Pha Phum district. The action was coordinated by park rangers, military units, local police and border patrol officers.

The operation was launched after CCTV cameras, installed in previously raided gold-mining sites, captured images of 15–20 individuals entering the forest between 7–8 August. The area had already suffered over 27 rai of deforestation due to illegal mining.

Officers disguised themselves as villagers and trekked more than 16 kilometres into the dense forest before surrounding the targeted site on 12 August. Four suspects were apprehended:

• Mr. K. Phiw, Myanmar national

• Mr. Dapho Phaphumisukho, Karen national

• Mr. Wirat Saksri, Mon national

• Mr. Wanithu, holder of a non-registered person ID card

The remaining suspects escaped.

Seized evidence included 144 grams of gold ore, over 10 kilograms of soil and rock and 20 items of mining equipment.

The suspects face five primary charges: destruction of forest, unlawful possession of reserved forest land, damage to natural resources within a national park, conducting unauthorised commercial activities in a protected area and related environmental offences.

They, along with the confiscated items, were handed over to Pilok Police Station for further legal proceedings.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-08-16