CityNews – The Pha Muang Military Force and officials of Pha Daeng National Park discovered that residents and businesses of Ban Sinchai of Chai Prakan’s Nong Mua sub-district Chiang-Mai have been using around 1,000 rai of national park land without permission. The discovery was made on the evening of April 26th.
21-year-old Chiang Dao, 48-year-old Ja-kor Wimonsripet and 45-year-old Ja-haen Ja-eu were arrested for cutting trees and burning brush in the forest.
The suspects confessed that they were preparing fields to plant corn. The damages were estimated to be around 70 rai of land.
The crime is part of a common scheme to grow crops in illegal areas to sell as animal feed to large companies. This method can bring a hefty income to villagers, but is carried out at the cost of the environment. The three suspects will be prosecuted.