The government has assigned the 3rd Army chief to ensure security for local administration officials facing death threats for demolishing resorts illegally built on Phu Thap Boek in Phetchabun.
The threats were made against three officials, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said Thursday after instructing Lt Gen Somsak Nilbanjoedkul, the 3rd Army commander, to protect the staff.
Gen Prawit insisted the threats would not disrupt the operation to dismantle the illegal resorts on the mountain.
On Wednesday, a man claiming to be a member of the Islamic State (IS) named Areeping Ree-ading telephoned Boonlap Suksai, director of the Royal Forest Department's Forest Management Bureau's Phitsanalok Branch, to threaten him and Phetchabun governor Bandit Thewithiwarak to stop tearing down the resorts or they would be killed.
Chanchai Sornsriwichai, Lom Kao district chief, also received threatening calls. Different numbers were used to call Mr Boonlap and Mr Chanchai, though it is not clear whether the calls were made by the same person.
Mr Boonlap and Mr Chanchai complained to the police, who are tracing the calls and who say they now have information on the owners of the phone numbers.
Lt Gen Somsak said the military is duty-bound to help the local administration and forestry officials maintain peace and order as well as to ensure their safety.
The military has also explained to local residents why the resorts must be removed.
Lt Gen Somsak declined to say whether the military had any idea about the callers' identities. However, he said soldiers were also helping with the investigation.
Athapol Charoenshunsa, director of the Forest Protection and Fire Control Bureau, said he does not believe the callers are intent on actually hurting anyone.
He said that most local residents understand that officials must protect natural resources and drive out people who encroach on such land.
Chonlatid Suraswadi, director-general of the Royal Forest Department (RFD), said a team of female officers has been sent to communicate with local residents the need to enforce the law. He hopes the team will appear less confrontational than sending a group of male officers.
He said the work to dismantle 19 resorts is expected to be wrapped up next week. The department is investigating 95 resorts believed to have been constructed illegally, while legal action has already been taken against 46 of them, he said.
Despite the alleged death threats, the combined team of RFD officials, police, soldiers, and administrative officials continued their mission Thursday. There were no signs of protesters.
The team previously encountered a protest carried out by about 300 Hmong residents on Phu Thap Boek.
They blocked an intersection at the entrance to the tourist attraction. Among the protesters were resort owners and employees.
The protest was believed to have been sparked by rumours spread by disaffected illegal resort owners that the dismantling operation would also target highlanders.
Last month, Gen Prayut ordered the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to provide relief measures to those affected by the demolition operation on Phu Thap Boek.
In Surat Thani, a similar combined team equipped with heavy machinery began demolishing buildings found to have been illegally built on 9 rai of land on Chaweng beach in Koh Samui.
The operation was part of the government's mission to reclaim public land illegally occupied by business operators and residents, said Ranetr Chaikwang, mayor of Koh Samui municipality.