In Sakon Nakhon Province on November 9, a group of at least five assailants stormed a local forest protection office, subduing and tying up forest officers before stealing two firearms and 20 valuable logs of seized rosewood. The intruders also dismantled surveillance cameras before fleeing the scene. This incident occurred in the middle of the night at the Forest Protection Unit 2 in Kut Takap Subdistrict, Waritchaphum District.
On November 11, Surachai Achalaboon, Director-General of the Department of Forestry, dispatched Deputy Director-General Nikorn Sirarojanon to the area to support the investigation, emphasizing the need for swift arrests. Surachai noted that this is the second theft involving rosewood from the site, with the stolen wood reportedly valued at nearly one million baht on the black market.
In response to suspicions that the crime may have involved insiders, Surachai confirmed that the possibility is under investigation. Additionally, he has reported the incident to Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, who has advised that high-value confiscated timber be securely stored in locked facilities with 24-hour guards and surveillance to prevent further thefts.