The weekend attacks on the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary office and buildings in Narathiwat province were the most violent in the past 22 years, following weapon thefts in 2002 and 2006, the director general of the National Parks and Wildlife Department said today.
Attapon Charoenchansa stated that it was fortunate that no one was injured in the attack on Saturday, in which armed assailants torched the office, tied up four officials and made off with numerous weapons.
Attapon indicated today that the number of weapons taken included 11 official shotguns and one personal pistol. Earlier, it was mentioned that ten shotguns and two handguns were stolen.
According to testimonies from the officials who were restrained during the attack, a group of about 20 armed men in black clothing and wearing hoods tied their hands and feet.
They forced the officials to reveal where the weapons were kept, while some of them set fires and detonated explosives in nearby offices.
On Saturday, as security officials were clearing the area, two explosive devices detonated. The area remains closed, as some explosive devices could have their detonation delayed for up to five days.
An initial investigation shows that assets in the national park's offices and three lodgings were destroyed by the fire and explosions, Attapon said.
According to Isara News Agency, on June 20, 2002, armed men robbed the Banglang National Park office in Yala province, escaping with 16 shotguns and 17 semi-automatic rifles.
On July 12 of the same year, a weapons theft occurred at the Namtok Sipo National Park office in Narathiwat’s Rangae district, when suspects broke into a temporary arsenal and escaped with eight shotguns and ammunition.
Meanwhile, on October 20, 2006, a group of ten armed men raided the lodgings of officials at Budo-Sungai Padi National Park, near Pajo Waterfall, holding officials at gunpoint but escaping with only one weapon.
