Forestry Department Cracks Down on Illegal Activities in Phu Laen Kha Forest

Chaiyaphum: The Director-General of the Department of Forestry has mandated stringent legal action against individuals found to have illegally encroached upon the Phu Laen Kha National Forest Reserve. This decisive move comes in the wake of a comprehensive investigation carried out by the forest protection unit, which revealed unauthorized activities within the forested area, particularly by tourist accommodation businesses. According to Thai News Agency, the investigation uncovered several instances of illegal exploitation of protected timber species, including Siamese rosewood, teak, mahogany, and Dipterocarpus alatus. A particular raid on a tourist accommodation establishment led to the apprehension of a man actively sawing wood in the forest. Upon questioning, the individual stated he was an employee tasked with tree-cutting to clear the land for the establishment's use. The authorities further discovered that construction and utilization activities had been conducted within the protected forest zone, c overing over 74 rai. This discovery builds on a previous operation in October, during which officials seized 31 rai of land for violations of the National Forest Reserve Act and the Forestry Act. The Director-General's orders aim to ensure that such violations are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, preserving the integrity of the national forest reserve.