ENVIRONMENT: Seven people were arrested in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan after they were found mining for gemstones at Tham Mung Korn, a violation of the National Parks Act.
Park chief Pongsathorn Promkhuntod said their arrest followed the detection of rock-cutting activities within the park's boundaries by the park's SMART Patrol system.
All of the suspects denied the allegations against them, saying they were only collecting small stones to help feed their families, as evidenced by the absence of rock-cutting equipment at the location. A small gemstone can go for 20,000-50,000 baht.
Gemstones mined in the Khao Sam Roi Yot mountain range are highly sought after, especially in Taiwan.