Man previously mauled by bear returns for illegal agarwood harvest

Nakhon Ratchasima National Park officers apprehended a man deep within Khao Yai National Park for illicitly harvesting agarwood. The man, previously mauled by a bear, was caught with 5 kilogrammes of the valuable wood, worth approximately 80,000 baht, and tools used for extraction.

Khao Yai National Park chief Chaiya Huaihongthong received a report from the conservation and wildfire control unit patrolling the deep forest area near Huai Nam Sap, Mueang district, Nakhon Nayok province.

The man, identified as 50 year old Sakon, was found carrying equipment for cutting the wood, along with 5 kilogrammes of agarwood (a type of fragrant wood) valued at 80,000 baht. Among the seized items were a bow saw, a knife, an axe, two digging tools, and a headlamp.

The suspect was detained and brought in for questioning, facing charges under the National Park Act of 2019 and the Forest Act of 1941. His actions violated several sections of both acts.

Investigations revealed that Sakon had previously entered the park illegally late last year. During that incident, he ventured into the Khao Khiao area, known for being a habitat for sun bears, and was severely injured by a bear attack.

At that time, no illegal items were found on him, and he was rescued and treated at Pak Chong Nana Hospital. Despite this near-fatal encounter, Sakon returned to the forest to harvest agarwood, leading to his recent arrest.

Sakon admitted to the charges and was subsequently handed over to Nakhon Nayok Police Station officers for further legal proceedings. The recurring nature of his offences highlights a persistent issue within the park, where individuals continue to illegally exploit its natural resources, reported KhaoSod.

Khao Yai National Park, Thailand’s first national park, is home to diverse flora and fauna and remains a target for illegal activities such as poaching and logging. Conservation efforts continue to be a priority to preserve its rich biodiversity.