Kaeng Krachan wildfire burns 5,000 rai, police hunt arsonists
A Kaeng Krachan wildfire has burned more than 5,000 rai of forest in Phetchaburi, with authorities investigating suspected arson linked to illegal wildlife hunting, according to park officials.
Mr Mongkol Chaipakdee, head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, said the fire has caused extensive damage across the affected area and that evidence suggests it may have been deliberately started to aid the hunting of gaur.
Officials have identified a suspect believed to have entered the forest with hunting dogs and a motorcycle. The individual is suspected of setting fires in an area known to be a feeding ground for gaur in an attempt to drive the animals into a controlled zone before ambushing them.
Evidence links fire to illegal hunting
Investigators discovered the carcasses of two gaur in a burned section of forest near the Mae Khamoei Bon community in Ban Tha Sela, Yang Nam Klat Nuea subdistrict, Nong Ya Plong district. Initial examinations found gunshot wounds consistent with a nine-pellet shotgun, with projectiles still lodged in the remains.
The carcasses have been sent for forensic analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities also recovered spent shotgun shells at the scene and confirmed the presence of hunting dogs in the area. Photographic evidence obtained by officials appears to show the suspect entering and leaving the forest multiple times on a motorcycle while carrying a shotgun.
Based on the findings, park officials believe the fire was initially set to flush out wildlife but spread rapidly beyond control, developing into a large-scale Kaeng Krachan wildfire.
The scale of the Kaeng Krachan wildfire is likely to have contributed to the poor air quality reported in recent days in nearby areas, including Cha-am and Hua Hin.
Efforts are now focused on gathering further evidence and identifying the individual involved. Officials said a manhunt is underway, with police working alongside park authorities to locate the suspect and pursue legal action.
