Audacious, dozens of criminals stormed the office of the Halabala Wildlife Sanctuary in Narathiwat Province, threw grenades, burned down the officers’ residences, tied up the officers’ hands and feet, and stole 10 guns. The Director-General of the National Parks Department went to the area to urgently monitor the situation.
Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, traveled to Narathiwat Province urgently today to follow up on the progress of the incident in which approximately 10-20 perpetrators stormed the office of the Halabala Wildlife Sanctuary and arrested approximately 10 officers, tied their hands and feet. After that, they threw a bomb at the residence of the wildlife sanctuary chief, set fire to the office building, officers’ residences, the garage, and government cars, causing damage. They also stole 10 shotguns. The incident occurred at 6:20 p.m. yesterday (September 21, 2024).
When the perpetrators retreated, the officer
s coordinated with the Waeng District Emergency Operations Center, military and police forces in Waeng District to request fire engines and armored vehicles to control the incident and move the burned equipment to a safe place.
Mr. Atthaphon said that after receiving the report from Mr. Chai Suwannachat, Director of the Office of Natural Resources Conservation Area 6, Pattani Branch, he reported it to Mr. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. Mr. Chalermchai therefore gave an urgent order to travel to the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary to monitor the situation and provide urgent encouragement to the officers. No officers were injured in the incident.
Mr. Atthaphon added that he has notified all units to request the National Park Department to keep weapons in secret and strictly enforce patrolling to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Source: Thai News Agency