Bangkok: Illegal excavators were found digging through rocks and the sea to create a boat channel, encroaching on the forest area of ??Koh Wang Nok, Koh Samui. Khanom Beach-Southern Islands National Park officials discovered illegal use of a backhoe to excavate rock and seabed to create a boat channel, encroaching on forest areas on Koh Wang Nok and Koh Samui. They are coordinating with relevant agencies for a joint investigation on September 8th.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Surasak Anusorn, Director of the Conservation Area Administration Office 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat), revealed a report from Mr. Anettha Uikim, Head of the Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park, stating that on September 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM, park officials and volunteer divers conducted an underwater cleanup operation near Koh Wang Nok, Moo 3, Taling Ngam Subdistrict, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province. During the operation, they discovered illegal activity: heavy machinery, specifically a backhoe, was being used to excavate and destroy rock formations on the southern side of the island to create a wide channel for large ships. The backhoe was also clearing land and excavating rocks to create an embankment and deforesting an area of over 17 rai within a designated national park area. Officials immediately intervened and ordered a halt to the operation, as the area is protected under the Forest Act of 1941 and is within a pre-national park zone. Despite previous encroac hment cases pending, the perpetrators continued to illegally bring machinery back to clear the land.
Mr. Surasak stated, "We are not complacent about the offenses that affect natural resources and the marine environment. Although Koh Wang Nok is a remote area without a permanent national park ranger station due to limitations in public utilities and is only a checkpoint, our officers have been continuously monitoring and inspecting the area. Immediately upon receiving the report of the incident, I instructed the head of the Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park to coordinate with the Koh Samui Regional Marine Department, the Marine and Coastal Resources Office Region 4, and the Forest Resources Management Office Region 11 to conduct a thorough investigation on September 8th to gather evidence and take decisive legal action against the perpetrators."
Koh Wang Nok, located in Taling Ngam Subdistrict, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province, is an ecologically rich area classified as a forest reserve under the Forest Act of 1941 and is in the process of being declared as the Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park. Illegal use of heavy machinery to excavate rock and level the coastline violates not only forestry laws but also constitutes offenses under the National Park Act of 2019 and laws concerning navigation in Thai waters, as it causes severe damage to coral reefs, juvenile marine life, and the fragile natural landscape.
For the next steps, the integrated working group from all agencies will conduct a formal site survey on September 8, 2026, to assess the environmental damage, gather forensic evidence, and file a complaint with the local police station to strictly prosecute all those involved according to the law. Furthermore, they will increase the frequency of naval and land patrols to prevent the recurrence of illegal destruction of natural resources in such remote areas.