Illegal Loggers Ravage Protected Forests in Songkhla’s Saba Yoi

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Authorities in Songkhla province have uncovered extensive destruction in protected forest areas of Saba Yoi district, where illegal loggers have cleared and burned dozens of rai of forest land, causing millions of baht in environmental damage. The coordinated inspection revealed two separate sites of large-scale deforestation in remote mountain zones, with officials now investigating to identify those responsible.

The operation, ordered by Mr. Songsak Kittithakorn, Director of the Forest Resource Management Office 13 (Songkhla), was led by Mr. Kornphat Phukayankul, head of the Forest Protection and Fire Control Division. Multiple agencies joined forces, including units from the Saba Yoi Forest Protection Office, special forest task forces and the Border Patrol Police. The inspection followed reports of widespread illegal logging in forest reserves in Saba Yoi district.

At the first site, located in Ban Tha Khuan, Moo 4, Khao Daeng subdistrict, officers found freshly destroyed forest land on steep mountain slopes within a national forest reserve area that includes Kuan Raso, Kuan Nam Ron, Kuan Soh Roh, Kuan Bang Phla, and Khao To Thep forests. Heavy machinery tracks were visible, along with cut logs, signs of sawn timber and areas that had been burned. The damage, estimated to have occurred within the past one to two months, covered 34 rai and 88 square wah, with losses valued at 5 million baht.

No suspects or machinery were found at the scene, leading officials to believe the loggers had fled after learning of the inspection. The head of the Saba Yoi Forest Protection Unit (Sko.6) was instructed to file a formal complaint with Saba Yoi Police Station, recorded under Daily Report No. 3, dated 11 November 2025.

The second site, located at Ban Hat Sai, Moo 6, Than Khiri subdistrict, within the Sankalakhiri Mountain Range National Forest Reserve, showed fresh evidence of forest clearing and tree felling for agricultural purposes. The area destroyed measured 7 rai and 81 square wah, with an estimated loss of 1 million baht. This incident was reported to Saba Yoi Police Station under Daily Report No. 2, dated 12 November 2025.

Khoasod reported that authorities have pledged to intensify their investigation to trace the financiers and organisers behind the illegal operations, as the incidents highlight continued pressure on Songkhla’s fragile forest ecosystems.

Key Takeaways

• Two forest destruction sites discovered in Saba Yoi, Songkhla, causing losses exceeding 6 million baht.

• Evidence of heavy machinery use and timber processing suggests an organised illegal logging operation.

• Police investigations are underway to identify and prosecute those responsible for the deforestation.

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Khaosod 2025-11-15