Twenty-one arrested for illegal logging in Thailand park

Police arrested 21 people for illegal logging in a national park in Thailand. The arrests took place on Friday in Pa Phu Nam Khem National Park, located in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Among those arrested were two Thais and 19 Myanmar nationals. The suspects admitted to logging but said they did not know they were on protected land. This information was shared by Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, head of the Central Investigation Bureau. The police acted on a tip received on Thursday. They conducted a raid with help from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, the Royal Forest Department, and local police. During the operation, authorities seized five power saws, two backhoes, two trucks, four tractors, and eight liters of petrol. The suspects stated that they were hired by unknown individuals to cut rubber trees. Villagers reported their activities to the police, noting that the suspects had been working there since Thursday. All arrested individuals face charges of illegal logging and breaching the National Forest Reserve Act of 1964. They were later transferred to Bang Saphan police for further legal action.