A deputy district chief in central Kanchanaburi province was among 12 people arrested in Sai Yok National Park yesterday for poaching a protected species.
Saturday night, Saiyok park officers received a report that six off-road vehicles entered the park and did not come out.
When the cars were spotted driving out of the park at around 11.30am on Sunday, the 15 passengers — including 12 adults (9 men, 2 women) and three children — were stopped by park officials, reported Workpoint.
One of the men was identified as Watcharachai Sameerak, the deputy chief of Dan Makham Tia District.
After an initial search, in one of the vehicles, authorities discovered a rifle with a camera and sound suppressor attached, a 9mm pistol, ammunition, a knife, a chopping board and four bearcat paws, according to Thai PBS.
All were detained and taken to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for questioning.
Denying any involvement with the disembodied bearcat limbs, Watcharachai claimed to have visited a Buddhist monastery inside the park when he camped there on Saturday night.
One of the other detained men, Anusorn Reun-ngam, claimed that he bought the bearcat paws from villagers nearby.
Despite their denials, all 12 adults were charged with poaching protected wildlife and entering a national park with permission.
Today, Kanchanaburi Governor Jeerakiat Bhumsawa temporarily suspended Watcharachai, as well as two members of his group who were defense corp volunteers, from service without pay pending investigation.
