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Sub-district Chief Arrested for Forest Encroachment, Illicit Timber

Sub-district Chief Arrested for Forest Encroachment, Illicit Timber

Matichon•Society•16d ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities apprehended a sub-district chief in Phrae province for illegally occupying and unlawfully logging over 30 rai of protected forest land, constructing a lavish home and accumulating a significant amount of valuable timber.

  • •A sub-district chief in Phrae province was arrested for encroaching on over 30 rai of national forest reserve.
  • •Authorities discovered a luxurious wooden house and a large stockpile of illegal teak and pradu timber.
  • •The sub-district chief confessed to cutting timber and purchasing it from villagers.
  • •Evidence of 16 cut teak stumps and 41 additional logs was found, with preliminary damages estimated at over 560,000 baht.

Overview

  • •On May 12, officials from Unit Phr.10 (Mae Ta) collaborated with special forest operational units, Border Patrol Police, and provincial administration to inspect the Ling Du forest area.
  • •Officials received a tip-off about someone violating the law by encroaching on the Mae Ta Left Bank National Forest Reserve for construction and illegal logging.
  • •Officials discovered a luxurious raised wooden house with large teak posts and a metal sheet roof.
  • •Between 7 valuable teak and pradu logs, lacking official seals, were found in front of and behind the house.
  • •Mr. Yuthana, the sub-district chief of Ta Pha Mok, identified himself as the owner and was immediately detained for questioning.
  • •Mr. Yuthana admitted to the land lacking ownership documents and acknowledged that the timber used for construction and the stockpiled logs were either illegally felled from surrounding forests or purchased from villagers.
  • •Satellite surveys revealed 16 cut teak stumps and an additional 41 logs of teak, valued at approximately 430,000 baht, were found.
  • •A portable sawmill and fresh sawdust were discovered by a stream, leading to an initial estimated damage of over 560,000 baht.
  • •Initial charges of forest encroachment and illegal possession of protected timber have been filed, and the sub-district chief will be prosecuted, with plans to seek a court order for the demolition of the house.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Entities

Person

Ta Pha Mok Sub-district Chief(กำนัน ต.ต้าผามอก)
The apprehended sub-district chief accused of forest encroachment and illegal logging in Phrae province.

Place

Phrae Province(จ.แพร่)ℹ️
The province in Thailand where the forest encroachment and arrest took place.
Ling Du Forest(ป่าหลิ่งดู่)
The specific forest area in Phrae province where the encroachment occurred.
Ta Pha Mok Subdistrict(ต.ต้าผามอก)
The subdistrict in Phrae province where the illegal activities took place.
Long District(อ.ลอง)
The district in Phrae province where the forest encroachment occurred.
Mae Ta Left Bank National Forest Reserve(ป่าสงวนแห่งชาติป่าแม่ต้าฝั่งซ้าย)
The protected national forest reserve that was encroached upon in Phrae province.

Organization

Mae Ta Forest Protection Unit Phr.10(หน่วยป้องกันรักษาป่าที่ พร.10 (แม่ต้า))
The specific forest protection unit involved in the operation in Phrae.
Forestry Office Region 3 (Phrae)(สจป.ที่ 3 (แพร่))
A regional forestry office that participated in the raid.
Border Patrol Police 323(ตำรวจ ตชด.323)
A unit of the Border Patrol Police that assisted in the operation.
Regional Center for Conservation of Natural Resources and Environment, Region 5(ศปทส.ภาค 5)
A regional environmental conservation center that was part of the joint operation.
Wiang Ta Police Station(สภ.เวียงต้า)
The police station responsible for handling the case against the arrested sub-district chief.