Kanchanaburi – Authorities have mobilized forces to search for three forest rangers from Thong Pha Phum National Park after they lost contact and went missing while out on patrol to prevent an organized group from illegally entering the forest area and drilling into the mountains in search of gold ore. Preliminary reports indicate that two of the rangers had recently joined the service, while one is a veteran officer. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has dispatched a helicopter to support the search mission.
Today (12 Aug.), initial reports indicate that three forest rangers from Thong Pha Phum National Park set out on a patrol mission in the area to prevent and intercept groups illegally entering the forest and drilling into mountains to prospect for gold ore, before losing contact and failing to return from the area as scheduled.
Upon learning of the incident, the relevant agencies urgently mobilized personnel to conduct a search, while also coordinating support from local units in order to quickly locate all three officers.
Most recently, the page of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation published a message stating: "URGENT! The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment dispatches helicopter for blanket aerial search for Thong Pha Phum National Park officers missing while cracking down on illegal gold-mining syndicate," in order to support the aerial search mission and speed up efforts to locate the missing officers.
Authorities are currently conducting a blanket search of the area. The situation will continue to be monitored and updates will be reported, including details on any locations where clues regarding the three officers are found.
