2 arrested for encroaching on Wang Katha watershed forest

MGR Online•Society•28m ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities arrested two men and seized a backhoe, a firearm, and drugs after discovering the illegal clearing of over 9 rai of forest in Nakhon Ratchasima.

•Two workers, Manit and Narong, were arrested for encroaching on the Wang Katha watershed forest in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima.
•The encroachment covered an area of 9 rai, 2 ngan, and 78 square wah.
•Seized items included one blue CAT backhoe, one .22 CZ rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition, one silencer, and 8 methamphetamines tablets.
•The operation was carried out on November 12 by the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division in coordination with other agencies.

Overview

•On November 12, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division and coordinating agencies inspected a forest encroachment site in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima.
•Officers arrested Manit, aged 60, and Narong, aged 53, while they were using a backhoe to clear forest land.
•The cleared forest area measured 9 rai, 2 ngan, and 78 square wah.
•Authorities seized a blue CAT backhoe, a .22 CZ rifle, 30 bullets, a silencer, and 8 methamphetamines tablets.
•Manit faces charges of forest encroachment and violating the Firearms Act, while Narong faces charges of forest encroachment and possession of Category 1 narcotics.
•The operation followed complaints from villagers regarding investors using backhoes to clear the fertile Wang Katha watershed forest.
•The suspects and evidence were handed over to the Nong Sarai Police Station for legal proceedings.
•The Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division is expanding the investigation to identify the masterminds and the network behind the encroachment.

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Key Entities

Organization

Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division(ปทส.)

The agency that led the operation to arrest forest encroachers.

Pak Chong Special Warfare Training Center(ค่ายฝึกรบพิเศษปากช่อง)

The military unit that coordinated in the operation.

Lam Takhong Self-Settlement Community(นิคมสร้างตนเองลำตะคอง)

An agency involved in the inspection of the encroached forest.

Nong Sarai Police Station(สภ.หนองสาหร่าย)

The police station where the suspects and evidence were sent for legal action.

Person

Nattasak Chaowanasai(ณัฐศักดิ์ เชาวนาศัย)

Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau who ordered the operation.

Anek Taosupap(เอนก เตาสุภาพ)

Commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division.

Thanatchachon Kengkasikit(ธณัชชนม์ เก่งกสิกิจ)

Superintendent of Division 3, Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division.

Wirun Prathathong(วิรุณ ประทะทอง)

Deputy Superintendent of Division 3, Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division.

Aram Manchaona(อร่าม มั่นชาวนา)

Head of Forest Protection Unit 1 (Pak Chong) in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Manit(มานิตย์)

A 60-year-old suspect arrested for forest encroachment and firearm violations.

Narong(ณรงค์)

A 53-year-old suspect arrested for forest encroachment and narcotic possession.

Place

Ban Nong Song Hong(บ้านหนองสองห้อง)

The location of the forest encroachment in Village No. 13, Wang Katha Subdistrict.

Wang Katha(วังกะทะ)

The subdistrict and watershed forest area where the encroachment occurred.

Pak Chong(ปากช่อง)ℹ️

The district in Nakhon Ratchasima province where the incident took place.

Nakhon Ratchasima(นครราชสีมา)ℹ️

The province where the forest encroachment occurred.

Law

Forest Act(พระราชบัญญัติป่าไม้)

The law under which the suspects were charged for forest encroachment.

Firearms Act(พระราชบัญญัติอาวุธปืน)ℹ️

The law under which Manit was charged for firearm offenses.