Villagers Cut Protected Cherry Trees at Doi Pui Royal Site

On October 26, 2026, Kritsiam Kongsatri, chief of the 16th Protected Areas Administration Office (Chiang Mai), along with Thongchai Narat, chief of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Surachet Takamma, mayor of Suthep Municipality, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Sinotai Lilittham, superintendent of Phu Phing Ratchaniwet Police Station, joined police and local administration officials to inspect the illegal felling of Nang Phaya Suea Khrong trees at the royal project site in Ban Mong Doi Pui, Village 11, Suthep Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District.

A joint meeting reviewed the case. Since the cutting was discovered, investigators found about seven people had entered the area to cut the trees — known as Thailand's cherry blossoms — near the pavilion built during King Rama IX's reign at the Ban Mong Doi Pui viewpoint. The controversy erupted in mid-October 2026 when social media shared before-and-after photos showing a hill once covered in pink blossoms reduced to bare stumps, sparking heavy criticism over the destruction of a tourism landmark villagers had planted since 2007.

National park officials confirmed 15 standing trees were cut and processed into 46 logs, including 11 Nang Phaya Suea Khrong trees yielding 40 logs. The perpetrators were identified as a volunteer group of 40-50 people who regularly assist in the area. They had only received verbal permission to clean the pavilion area, not to cut trees. The group claimed the trees blocked the pavilion and falling leaves disturbed the structure, so they cut and stacked the wood while planning to plant flowers. They apologized, but park officials insisted on legal action.

On October 22, park officials filed a report at Phu Phing Ratchaniwet Police Station under the National Park Act 2019, Forest Act 1941, and Reserved Forest Act 1964. On October 24, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchai Phongwiwatchai, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 5, convened an urgent meeting classifying suspects into four groups: local politicians, state officials from administration and municipality, villagers who cut the trees, and masterminds behind the operation, with photographic evidence and witnesses.

On October 25, Pol. Lt. Col. Sinotai Lilittham stated one clear offender had been identified after questioning, with 2-4 more witnesses to be summoned to gather evidence for arrest warrants. On October 25-26, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on ordered expedited action, confirming seven suspects had been pinpointed. Investigators invited park officials to give additional statements, vowing to pursue the case fully while coordinating with the Suthep Kamnan and the Mong Hill Tribe Association.

On October 26, a multi-agency team including provincial, district, park, municipal, Region 5 police, and Phu Phing Ratchaniwet Police Station returned to the site to finalize the case summary. The investigation is now gathering witnesses and evidence to issue summonses and request arrest warrants. Methaphon Phuchakrisdapha, Kamnan of Suthep Subdistrict, apologized for the incident but affirmed that Ban Mong villagers...