Two Cambodian Nationals Arrested for Illegal Hunting in Namtok Phlio National Park
Park rangers in Chanthaburi apprehended two Cambodian men carrying modified air rifles while patrolling protected forest areas.
On November 1, 2026, officials from the Namtok Phlio National Park protection unit conducted a routine patrol in the Ban Ang area of Chanthaburi province. During the operation, rangers encountered two individuals identified as Cambodian nationals carrying a homemade air rifle equipped with a silencer and a telescopic sight. The suspects were intercepted in a protected forest zone near Ban Thaeo Khlong, located in Phlapphla sub-district, Mueang Chanthaburi district. According to Khaosod Online, the patrol was part of an ongoing effort by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to prevent illegal hunting, logging, and the unauthorized collection of protected flora. The suspects were found in possession of the weapon and ammunition, leading to their immediate detention. For residents and visitors, this incident highlights the strict enforcement of conservation laws within Thailand's national parks. Unauthorized entry into restricted forest zones and the possession of hunting equipment are serious offenses that can lead to criminal prosecution. While the suspects are currently in custody, further details regarding the specific charges and the legal proceedings that will follow remain to be confirmed by local authorities.
