Rangers released after long
A group of Hmong villagers in Tak yesterday released four forest rangers they took captive on Saturday after raiding a forest outpost in Umphang district.
The villagers had demanded an exchange of the rangers for the release of two Hmong tribesmen arrested earlier for allegedly encroaching on a restricted area and lighting fires in it.
After the involvement of a combined force of police and soldiers – and nine hours of talks – the four part-time employees were released unharmed, Pol Captain Yongyuth Yawichai said.
An earlier statement by Nanee Kerdnoi, chief of the outpost, said the rangers held captive were also beaten by the Hmong.
Police said they would take action against the villagers – for the invasion and use of war weapons – but did not give any details of the charges. The Hmong did not return weapons taken from the four captives or their gear, as demanded by the rangers.
No details were given on the whereabouts of the Hmong group or whether they were residents or citizens in Thailand.
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