Thai monks implicated in illicit wildlife sanctuary encroachment

Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary officers yesterday unveiled a case of alleged illicit encroachment involving monks from a highly revered temple in Chaiyaphum.

The monks and their accomplices are suspected of violating the sanctity of the wildlife sanctuary’s protected grounds.

The Suomi NPP satellite pinpointed 14 hotspots in a forest located in Nong Bua Daeng, Chaiyaphum on Tuesday. Responding swiftly, the Phu Khiao officers dispatched forest rangers to carry out an extensive patrol of the flagged region.

The patrolling rangers stumbled upon a group of individuals in the heart of the forest, descending from a cliff two days later on April 25 at exactly 11am. Upon requesting an inspection, the rangers faced resistance as the group allegedly attempted to flee the scene, with one individual even reportedly firing three rounds at the officers.

Despite…