Thailand Busts Eight Illegal Sawmills in Nakhon Ratchasima
Authorities raided eight illegal sawmills in Nakhon Ratchasima's Non Sung District after residents complained of noise and dust pollution, seizing machinery and nearly 30 cubic meters of improperly documented timber. Twenty-two suspects fac
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has launched a crackdown on illegal timber processing operations, ordering simultaneous raids on eight wood mills in Nakhon Ratchasima after residents complained of dust and noise from factory operations. The minister vowed that the ministry would enforce laws firmly, transparently, and fairly without allowing capitalists or influential figures to exploit national forest resources or cause public hardship.
Chumphon, a resident of Non Sung District in Nakhon Ratchasima, filed a complaint after being affected by loud noise and fine dust from wood-processing factories. Following the report from Nikorn Sirisrojnant, director of the Forestry Department, Deputy Minister Nanthachat Suphangkul was assigned to investigate and coordinate with relevant agencies.
The Forestry Department coordinated with the Forest Protection and Fire Control Office, the Forest Resource Management Division 8 in Nakhon Ratchasima, and the Central Investigation Bureau to execute the operation. Teams divided into eight groups with court search warrants and raided eight wood-processing mills in the Klong area of Non Sung District.
The inspection found that all eight facilities were still operating machinery to process timber. Although some operators claimed they purchased wood from other areas to manufacture and sell OTOP furniture and community enterprise products, document checks revealed they lacked proper wood-processing factory licenses. Some processed wood also lacked correct supporting documentation.
Authorities immediately took legal action, seizing 99 machines, 9,278 pieces of processed wood totaling 29.955 cubic meters, and bringing 22 suspects under control. The Non Sung Police Station is handling the case according to law.
Initial charges were filed under the Forestry Act of 2484 (1941), Section 48, for jointly processing wood, operating an unlicensed wood mill, and unlawfully possessing protected timber without permission, with penalties under Section 73.
Chumphon reaffirmed that the ministry's policy is clear: capitalists, influential figures, and criminal networks will not be allowed to exploit legal loopholes to profit from forest resources or harm the public. Every complaint will be investigated, and violations will be pursued decisively. Forest resources belong to the country, and citizens must be protected from both forest destruction and the impact of illegal operations. The ministry will pursue proactive investigations, genuine prosecutions, and trace operations to their roots.
Meanwhile, Wichit Kijwiratt, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, who monitored operations, stated that the province will convene relevant agencies to discuss urgent measures to ensure wood-processing operations comply with law and minimize public impact as quickly as possible.
