Suchart Orders Swift Action! Assigns Lt. Gen. Nantachat to Raid and Dismantle Major Illegal Lumber Mill in Suphan Buri
Thai authorities raided an illegal timber mill in Suphan Buri Province and arrested its owner, seizing protected wood and machinery as part of a nationwide crackdown on forest crimes ordered by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister
The Forestry Department is intensifying crackdowns on forest crimes in response to an urgent order from Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin, aimed at dismantling illegal timber smuggling networks across the country. Lt. Gen. Nantachat Supharmongkol, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has been designated to command a joint operation bringing together central region enforcement units, the central enforcement center, Regional Forestry Office 10 in Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri's Natural Resources and Environment Office, Bang Pla Ma District administration, and the Central Investigation Police Bureau. Operating on a search warrant, authorities raided a major illegal wood processing factory in Bang Pla Ma District, Suphan Buri Province, arresting the factory owner and seizing large quantities of protected timber and machinery.
Minister Suchart stated that the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is committed to strictly enforcing the law against capital groups and illegal wood processing operations across all dimensions, with the Forestry Department tasked to conduct thorough investigations and direct enforcement actions. Lt. Gen. Nantachat has been assigned to closely oversee and monitor official performance, integrating resources from all sectors to enforce the law against violators without exception and protect the nation's natural resources and interests.
"The ministry has a clear policy to decisively suppress illegal forest destruction and illegal lumber mill operations," the minister said. "If violations are discovered in any area, officials are ordered to immediately arrest and prosecute offenders according to law, while expanding investigations to pursue all behind-the-scenes parties through the justice system."
On May 21, 2025, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Forestry Department Director General Nikorn Sirirojananond ordered the central region enforcement unit and central enforcement center to coordinate with the 10th Regional Forestry Office in Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri's Natural Resources and Environment Office, Bang Pla Ma District administration, and the Central Investigation Police Bureau to search and inspect wood processing factories in Suphan Buri Province.
Initial results of the operation led to the arrest of one suspect, the factory owner, who confessed. Officials charged him under the Forest Act B.E. 2527, Section 48, for operating an illegal wood processing factory with over 0.20 cubic meters of processed timber without permission, and Section 64 bis. The suspect was detained and all evidence seized, including wood processing machinery and protected timber species such as teak, rosewood, and Afzelia wood. Evidence was transferred to Bang Pla Ma Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Additionally, the factory site contained substantial quantities of processed wood and machinery still undergoing inspection. Officials obtained supplementary search warrants to continue operations on May 22, 2025. The Forestry Department pledged to maintain its commitment to enforcing the law and prosecuting violators continuously.
