Alleged killer of forestry official ready to surrender

Arthit Khlangsin, 31, and Song Khlangsin, 38 – who had surrendered to police earlier – claimed that Boonleng shot and killed Prasit during a clash over illegal eaglewood logging. 

They told police that Boonleng’s nephew, Anont Wongsanam, was also involved in illegal eaglewood logging and was at the scene of the clash, prompting police to issue another arrest warrant, bringing the total to four, said Yuthachai. 

Meanwhile, Prasit’s royal-sponsored funeral took place yesterday at Wat Boriboon in Muang district with 2,000 people in attendance. 

During the funeral, which was presided over by Chaiyaphum Governor Chusak Treesarn and Forestry Department deputy chief Sommai Kitpakul, Prasit’s wife, Thongdee Khummoo, and his two children were presented with Bt2 million in assistance money. The family was also told that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment would give Prasit’s son a job as a forestry official when he graduates a Bachelor’s degree if he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. 

Arthit and Song reportedly told police that the four of them were hired by an investor to cut down eaglewood trees on September 28 and they had been paid Bt5,000 per kilogramme. 

They will be charged with possessing guns and ammunition without permission, cutting down trees in a wildlife sanctuary, collecting forest products without permission and having in their possession more forest produces than is legally allowed.