Chaiyaphum—
On April 26th, 2024, Phu Khiao Wildlife Conservation Officers publicly revealed a case of a group of monks from a famous temple in Chaiyaphum allegedly illegally encroaching on the area of Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to the Phu Khiao officers, the Suomi NPP satellite detected 14 hotspots in a forest in Nong Bua Daeng, Chaiyaphum on April 23rd. The forest rangers were dispatched to conduct a long-distance patrol to inspect the reported area.
At 11:00 AM, on April 25th, the rangers spotted a group of suspects reportedly climbing down from a cliff in the deep forest. The officers asked for an inspection of the suspects, however, they reportedly attempted to flee and one of them allegedly shot at the officers three times.
After the ruckus was settled down, the officers captured two suspects; one was a Deputy Provincial Abbot and one was a neophyte. However, it was reported that seven other suspects were able to escape including three other monks and four followers. The officers discovered their identities later and were investigating to track them down.
Initially, the officers confiscated a 22mm pistol, a cap gun, and seven rucksacks containing wild animal carcasses as evidence. The suspects were escorted to the Non Mao police station for further legal processing.
The plea of the monks was not made immediately clear or if they would face additional repercussions from the monkhood, such as possible defrocking of their robes and removal.
