Watershed harm probedOfficials have confirmed extensive illegal logging and road construction inside a protected watershed area of the Mae Yuam Wildlife Sanctuary in Mae Hong Son province, following public allegations. The Mae Sariang branch of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) said patrol teams discovered four newly cut roads stretching a combined 6.6 kilometres through a Class 1A watershed zone -- the highest level of water-source protection. Authorities seized 329 logs, measuring 156.94 cubic metres, and estimated environmental damage at 2.84 million baht. The controversy erupted after a former park chief posted on Facebook, questioning whether the DNP was aware of the alleged felling of more than 500 trees. He suggested the roads could facilitate smuggling and asked who authorised the project and who benefited from it.

Source: Bangkok Post February 17, 2026 22:45 UTC