On December 27, Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, announced plans to strengthen forest patrol units with modern firearms to combat escalating threats from illegal logging and wildlife trafficking. This initiative aims to better protect Thailand's forests, wildlife habitats, and water sources while improving the safety and effectiveness of rangers.
The department faces increasingly sophisticated operations, especially along border areas, involving armed groups exploiting high-value timber such as Siamese rosewood and agarwood. Currently, forest patrol officers are equipped with outdated and less effective shotguns, which are inadequate compared to the weapons used by illegal operations.
To address this, the department has proposed a budget for the 2026 fiscal year to acquire 880 advanced rifles, including 5.56mm long rifles or 9mm automatic shotguns, comparable to M16 rifles. Each firearm is estimated to cost under 100,000 THB. These weapons will be distributed to patrol units covering over 70 million rai (approximately 112,000 square kilometers) of conservation forests nationwide. The department currently operates 1,328 patrol teams with 8,663 rangers.
“This is not about using firearms to harm anyone, but about ensuring the safety and peace of mind of our officers as they work in dangerous environments,” said Atthapol. He emphasized that the upgrade would enhance the quality of patrol operations and align with efforts to preserve Thailand's natural resources more effectively.
If approved, the firearms will be deployed to high-risk areas, bolstering Thailand's ability to combat illegal deforestation and wildlife poaching while protecting the country's vast natural heritage.