Law
Forestry Officials Intervene in Illegal Clearing at Khao Noi Reserve
Authorities in Nakhon Si Thammarat discovered illegal land clearing in the Khao Noi National Forest Reserve, leading to an ongoing investigation into the financiers behind the operation.
On August 20, 2026, forestry officials, in coordination with local administrative authorities and community leaders, conducted an operation in the Khao Noi National Forest Reserve in Nakhon Si Thammarat. During the patrol, authorities discovered that nearly three rai of protected forest land had been cleared.
Upon the arrival of the officials, four individuals operating machinery at the site fled the scene, successfully evading immediate capture. Authorities have since secured the area and are currently working to identify the individuals involved and, more importantly, the financiers or investors who commissioned the illegal clearing.
For residents and visitors, this incident highlights the ongoing efforts by local authorities to protect Thailand’s natural resources from encroachment. While the area remains under the jurisdiction of the forestry department, there are no immediate impacts on public access to established tourist trails in the region. However, travelers should be aware that authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance in protected zones.
What remains to be confirmed is the identity of the primary investors behind this encroachment and the extent of the environmental damage caused by the clearing. Investigations are ongoing as officials attempt to track the ownership of the machinery left behind and the connections of the fleeing suspects.