Mae Hong Son village assistant assaults wildlife officer

Authorities in Mae Hong Son launched a severe disciplinary investigation against a village assistant for leading a group of 20 locals in a brazen attempt to free two suspects from wildlife officers.

The incident, coupled with the seizure of firearms, methamphetamine, and animal remains, sparked a potential dismissal from the position of the village assistant involved.

A bold confrontation erupted in the forests of Mae Hong Son when a village leader and residents intercepted wildlife officers to claim two individuals accused of forest arson and assault. The Mae Hong Son Governor has ordered a swift inquiry, which could result in the assistant’s expulsion, while the police station in Pai is handling the criminal case, following the altercation.

Before the incident, between Sunday at 8.30pm and yesterday at 5.30am, a patrol unit from the Wildlife Sanctuary in the Pai River basin was on a night mission to extinguish forest fires and apprehend offenders in the Mae Nam Yan forest area.

They encountered a hut approximately 200 metres from a burning site, where they found a man, Ta Ae, who later revealed that another man, Ja Nu, was responsible for setting the fire. At Ja Nu’s hut, officers found firearms, methamphetamine, ammunition, and various animal parts, indicating illegal hunting activities.

However, upon bringing the two suspects to a designated location in Nong Khao village the next morning, they were met by a group led by Wirat, the village assistant. The group forcefully took the suspects and seized all evidence, injuring the officers in the process. This act has led to ongoing disciplinary and criminal investigations.

Despite an overall decrease in air pollution compared to the same period last year, the incident reflects a persistent challenge in combating forest fires in Mae Hong Son. The deputy governor highlighted that while most of the province’s efforts have successfully reduced haze, a small number of individuals continue to cause harm by illegally setting fires, affecting the majority, reported KhaoSod.

Local authorities have been instructed to proactively address the issue and foster community cooperation to prevent further occurrences of forest fires and related crimes.