Tourism
Three Thong Pha Phum National Park Rangers Found Safe After Disappearance
Three park rangers who went missing during a patrol in Kanchanaburi province have been located and confirmed safe following an urgent search operation.
On August 12, 2026, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin confirmed that three park rangers from Thong Pha Phum National Park, who had lost contact during a forest patrol, were found safe. The rangers were conducting an anti-poaching and forest protection mission in the Pilok Khi forest area of Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province, when they became unreachable.
Upon receiving reports of the missing personnel, Minister Suchart ordered an immediate and full-scale search operation, prioritizing the safety of the team. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, led by Director-General Athapol Charoensan, coordinated the efforts alongside local conservation authorities. The three rangers identified are Somchai Santat (44), Pornpawit Chimpli (31), and Pajeu Sangklawikul (29).
For residents and travelers in the region, this incident highlights the challenging and often rugged nature of the terrain in Kanchanaburi’s protected forest areas. While the rangers have been recovered, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with deep-forest patrols. At this time, no further details regarding the specific circumstances that led to the loss of communication have been released, and authorities have not yet provided a full debrief on the condition of the rangers following their rescue.