BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin has ordered urgent assistance after a forestry official was shot in Kanchanaburi province, while authorities probe the circumstances of the attack.
Athapol Charoenshunsa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said the incident occurred near Pong Pad Bridge in Chong Sadao subdistrict. The officer, who works at the Salak Phra–Erawan Forest Fire Control Station and Erawan National Park, was shot by an unidentified assailant at about 3:00 p.m. on March 5.
Rescue personnel from the Pitakkarn Foundation transported the injured official to Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities said the circumstances and motive behind the shooting remain under investigation.
Suchart directed relevant agencies to provide full support for the injured officer and coordinate closely with medical personnel. He also instructed local authorities to work with police to determine the cause of the incident and step up safety measures for officers responsible for forest fire control and natural resource protection in the area. (NNT)
