THREE forest rangers who disappeared while patrolling mountain forests to suppress illegal gold mining in Kanchanaburi yesterday (Aug. 11) have been found and are being airlifted to safety, MGR Online and TV Channel 7 said today.
This morning Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin sent a helicopter to extensively search for the three Thong Pha Phum National Park forest rangers while a special task force comprising soldiers from the Lad Ya Task Force and Border Patrol Police Company 135 joined other rangers to trek up the mountains to look for them.
Thong Pha Phum National Park team were unable to contact the three rangers after they missed their scheduled meeting at Pilokki village and communication got completely cut off. Compounding the problem is continuous rain and the dense, lush forest teeming with wildlife, including several tigers known for their aggressive behaviour.
Mr. Yutthapong Damsrisuk, a senior forestry expert and head of Thong Pha Phum National Park, said of the three missing forest rangers two were newly recruited while the third is a veteran. They were identified as Mr. Somchai Santhat, 44, Mr. Pornphawit Chimplee, 31, and Mr. Phajue Sangkhalawikun, 29.
All are reported to be safe and are being transported out of the forested area by helicopter for a thorough health check at Thong Pha Phum Hospital.
The three forest rangers had been patrolling these mountains since Aug. 5 to suppress illegal exploitation of forest and wildlife resources, particularly along a route leading to an area where illegal mining for gold was discovered near Moo 4, Ban Pilokki, Tambon Pilok, Thong Pha Phum district, approximately four kilometres from the Thai-Myanmar border.
They succeeded in seizing a plot of land, approximately 14 rai, in the illegal gold mining zone.
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Top and Front Page: Forestry officials following up on the search for the three missing rangers. Photo – MGR Online
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