Preah Vihear Province: A fierce legal action has been taken against a group of criminals who have been illegally encroaching on state forest land for their own property after the influence of those in power behind them was cut off.
On June 01, 2026 at At 11:46 p.m., three rangers from the Ta Keung headquarters, during an active patrol, confronted and promptly stopped illegal clearing and plowing of forest land in a place where encroachment had been ongoing for two years.
In the immediate operation, the officers seized 1 Kubota M8800 series tractor that was in the act of committing the crime.
According to information sources and claims from local residents, the act of illegally clearing and encroaching on state public land at the above location is not an unfounded act. Initially, this crime was protected and supported by a powerful person, which made citizens as well as lower-level officials afraid and did not dare to come forward to suppress it.
However, this barrier of influence was removed after the powerful person was transferred from Preah Vihear province. This change has paved the way for fair and impartial enforcement of the law.
This effective operation to crack down on natural resource crimes was led by Mr. Meas Nhim, Deputy Director of the Preah Vihear Provincial Department of Environment, and was directly coordinated by the Prosecutor of the Preah Vihear Provincial Court.
The seized tractor is currently being handled by experts in accordance with applicable legal procedures.
The late-night operation demonstrated the firm determination of the Preah Vihear provincial authorities to protect the state’s natural resources and enforce the law without compromise, even though the crime had previously involved powerful individuals.
By: Suon Pisit Doum Ampil
