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Nakhon Nayok Residents Oppose Temple Cutting Old Tree; Flying Foxes Die

Nakhon Nayok Residents Oppose Temple Cutting Old Tree; Flying Foxes Die

Matichon•Society•1d ago

Reader Briefing

A temple in Nakhon Nayok controversially felled an ancient Yang tree, sparking local outrage and concerns over the deaths of flying foxes, while officials investigate potential legal violations.

  • •Residents of Nakhon Nayok are protesting the decision by Wat Pikul Kaew to cut down a Yang tree over 100 years old, which led to the deaths of numerous flying foxes.
  • •The temple claims the tree was cut due to falling branches causing damage and posing a safety risk to market vendors and attendees.
  • •The tree cutter stated they were hired by the temple and operated under the belief that no permits were necessary, a claim now under investigation.
  • •The Office of Religious Affairs is investigating the incident and will provide legal guidance to the temple regarding forest and tree-cutting regulations.

Overview

  • •On May 28, a branch from a Yang tree at Wat Pikul Kaew fell, damaging a vendor's stall and car.
  • •The temple decided to cut the Yang tree in order to prevent future accidents and ensure the safety of market-goers.
  • •The tree was over 100 years old and located in an area used as a community market for 40-50 years.
  • •The damaged stall owner demanded 7,000 THB for goods and 50,000-60,000 THB for car repair.
  • •On Monday after the incident, Mr. Akkaradeth was contacted to cut down several Yang trees.
  • •The temple committee believed trimming branches would be too costly, leading to the decision to cut the entire tree.
  • •The tree cutter, Mr. Akkaradeth, stated that the temple did not know the specifics of legal permits required for cutting the Yang trees.
  • •The Office of Religious Affairs will provide legal education to Wat Pikul Kaew regarding forest and park laws on June 16.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Unnamed father
"A father who had just started selling goods used a ball to scare bats, causing branches to fall. The temple then considered it a potential danger."
มีพ่อคนนึงเพิ่งมาขายของแล้วเอาลูกบอลไปจุดไล่ค้างคาว ทำให้กิ่งไม้ตกลงมา ทางวัดเลยมองว่าอาจเกิดอันตราย
Phra Maha Chalermphon
"The reason for cutting the tree was that branches had previously fallen, and there was a tendency for other branches to fall as well, with branches having fallen frequently."
สาเหตุที่ให้มาตัดไม้นั้นเกิดจากก่อนหน้านี้ได้มีกิ่งไม้หักตกลงมา อีกทั้งมีแนวโน้มจะมีกิ่งอื่นๆหักลงมาที่ผ่านมาก็จะมีกิ่งไม้หักลงมาอยู่บ่อยๆ
Mr. Bunyang
"If branches were trimmed to make poles, it would cost tens of thousands of baht to hire someone."
ถ้าหากทำการลิบกิ่งไม้ ทำเป็นเสาจะมีค่าใช้จ่ายในการจ้างทำมูลค่าหลายหมื่นบาท
Mr. Akkaradeth
"I have a permit to possess and use a chainsaw (wood cutting machine)."
ตนเองมีใบอนุญาตครอบครองและใช้เลื่อยโซ่ยนต์ (เครื่องตัดไม้)
Mrs. Phattranit Sassadee
"The temple's intention was to protect property and human lives."
เจตนาของทางวัดต้องการที่จะปกป้องทรัพย์สินและชีวิตคน

Key Entities

Place

Wat Pikul Kaew(วัดพิกุลแก้ว)
A temple in Nakhon Nayok where an ancient Yang tree was controversially cut down.
Nakhon Nayok Province(จังหวัดนครนายก)ℹ️
The province where the incident involving Wat Pikul Kaew and the felled Yang tree occurred.
Ban Na District(อำเภอบ้านนา)
The district in Nakhon Nayok Province where Wat Pikul Kaew is located.
Thai Smile Community Market(ตลาดประชารัฐคนไทยยิ้มได้)
The community market held at Wat Pikul Kaew where the incident occurred.
Wat Pikul Kaew Market(ตลาดวัดพิกุลแก้ว)
The local market held at Wat Pikul Kaew.

Organization

Here Nakhon Nayok Page(เพจที่นี่นครนายก)
A local social media page that shared updates and videos about the incident.
Nakhon Nayok Provincial Office of Religious Affairs(สำนักงานพระพุทธศาสนาจังหวัดนครนายก)
The government agency investigating the legal aspects of the tree-cutting incident.

Person

Phra Maha Chalermphon(พระมหาเฉลิมพล)
The Deputy Abbot and Secretary of the Pikul Ok Sub-district Sangha Council of Wat Pikul Kaew.
Mr. Bunyang(นายบุญยัง)
A senior committee member of Wat Pikul Kaew who explained the reasons for cutting the tree.
Mr. Akkaradeth(นายอัครเดช)
The individual hired to cut the Yang trees at Wat Pikul Kaew.
Mrs. Phattranit Sassadee(นางภัทรานิษฐ์ สัสดี)
The Director of the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Office of Religious Affairs.