Kanchanaburi warns gold shops against buying illegal gold ore

MGR Online•Society•13h ago

Reader Briefing

The Governor of Kanchanaburi has issued a request for gold shops and operators to stop purchasing gold ore suspected of being illegally mined from Thong Pha Phum National Park.

•Governor Waristha Sa-nguansermsri issued a warning to gold shops and antique dealers in Kanchanaburi regarding illegal gold ore.
•Illegal mining activities were reported in the Pilok Khi area, Village 4, Pilok Subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum District.
•Since November 2024, multiple agencies have conducted joint operations to suppress illegal gold panning in the area.
•Illegal mining has caused over 27 rai of forest damage with an estimated natural resource value loss of over 1.5 million baht.

Overview

•Governor Waristha Sa-nguansermsri signed a provincial announcement requesting gold shops, antique shops, and related operators to refrain from buying gold ore without clear origins.
•The announcement follows reports from Thong Pha Phum National Park regarding individuals encroaching on forest areas to mine gold in Pilok Khi, Village 4, Pilok Subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum District.
•Governor Waristha Sa-nguansermsri warned that violators face imprisonment of up to 1 year, fines of 3-5 times the value of the ore, or both, and may be liable under money laundering laws.
•Rising gold prices have attracted investors to purchase gold ore, leading to the sale of illegally panned gold to shops in Kanchanaburi.
•Since November 2024, Thong Pha Phum National Park, Khao Laem National Park, Lad Ya Special Task Force, Surasee Force, Border Patrol Police Company 135, local administration, and Pilok Police Station have collaborated on suppression operations.
•Illegal mining in a Class 1A watershed forest area, overlapping with Khao Chang Phueak National Reserved Forest, has caused damage to over 27 rai of forest, valued at over 1.5 million baht.
•Despite several convictions by the Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court, illegal mining persists, prompting the provincial announcement to disrupt the trade cycle.

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Key Entities

Person

Waristha Sa-nguansermsri(วริษฐา สงวนเสริมศรี)

The Governor of Kanchanaburi who signed the announcement requesting operators to stop buying illegal gold ore.

Yuttaphong Damsrisuk(ยุทธพงค์ ดำศรีสุข)

The Head of Thong Pha Phum National Park.

Organization

Thong Pha Phum National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติทองผาภูมิ)ℹ️

The agency that reported illegal gold mining activities and collaborated in suppression operations.

Khao Laem National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาแหลม)ℹ️

An agency that collaborated in the suppression of illegal gold panning since November 2024.

Lad Ya Special Task Force(ทหารหน่วยเฉพาะกิจลาดหญ้า)

A military unit involved in the joint operation to suppress illegal gold panning.

Surasee Force(กองกำลังสุรสีห์)

A military force involved in the joint operation to suppress illegal gold panning.

Border Patrol Police Company 135(ตำรวจตระเวนชายแดน ร้อย ตชด.135)

A police unit involved in the joint operation to suppress illegal gold panning.

Pilok Police Station(สภ.ปิล๊อก)

The local police station involved in joint suppression operations in the Pilok Khi area.

Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court(ศาลจังหวัดทองผาภูมิ)

The court that has issued prison sentences for several illegal miners.

Place

Kanchanaburi Province(จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี)ℹ️

The province where the gold shops were warned and where the illegal mining occurred.

Ban Pilok Khi, Village 4, Pilok Subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum District(บ้านปิล๊อกคี่ หมู่ 4 ต.ปิล๊อก อ.ทองผาภูมิ)

The specific location where illegal gold panning occurred within the Thong Pha Phum National Park.

Khao Chang Phueak National Reserved Forest(ป่าสงวนแห่งชาติป่าเขาช้างเผือก)

The reserved forest area that overlaps with the site of illegal gold mining.

Law

Minerals Act 2017(พระราชบัญญัติแร่ พ.ศ.2560)

The law requiring licenses for the purchase, sale, possession, or transport of minerals.

Anti-Money Laundering Act 1999(พระราชบัญญัติป้องกันและปราบปรามการฟอกเงิน พ.ศ.2542)

The law under which buying natural resources obtained through illicit means may be a predicate offense.