Sri Racha district, Chonburi —
A shootout between groups of Thai forest rangers and illegal hunters ended with one casualty of an officer and two arrests.
The forest rangers were on a routine patrol in the Khao Khiao-Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary in Chonburi’s Sri Racha district on Thursday night, January 19th, when they stumbled upon a group of poachers.
As the rangers attempted to arrest the poachers, the suspects suddenly opened fire and exchanged shots with the rangers, resulting in one officer being shot in the forehead.
The injured officer, Mr. Thanongdet Sunthornworachan, 59, was rushed to the nearest hospital but later passed away after he arrived.
Two suspects, identified only as Mr. Teerawat, 38, and Mr. Wasil, 31, were arrested in possession of many wildlife parts, including a palm civet (Paradoxurus) and squirrels.
The suspects admitted that they crept into the forest to check the traps they had previously laid to catch animals.
The rangers also arrested the suspects with two CZ rifles, knives, and several bullets.
The suspects were charged with murder and illegal hunting in the protected area.
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