Firefighters are actively battling wildfires in Khao Kho National Park, Phetchabun province, which have already consumed approximately 1.6 hectares of forest as of January 13, 2025. The fires continue to spread, posing a significant threat to the park’s ecosystem.
Suphamit Suphamongkhon, chief of the forest fire control station at Khao Kho, reported that a team of about 10 firefighters has been deployed to contain the blaze in the forest community of Nam Khun sub-district, where the fire has encroached into the national park.
In Nakhon Ratchasima province, efforts are underway to control wildfires in the Khao Siad Ah National Forest Reserve and Khao Ang Hin forests in Pak Chong district. Naruephon Tipmontha, chief of prevention and control of wildfires at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, indicated that drones have been utilized to detect hotspots, with approximately 272 hectares of forest already destroyed. He anticipates that the fires will be brought under control today.
Local authorities have instructed village heads to warn residents against lighting fires in forested areas to prevent further outbreaks.
The wildfires in Pak Chong district have been particularly severe, with reports indicating that nearly 400 hectares of forest have been burned since January 3, 2025. The proximity of these fires to Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has raised concerns about potential risks to the park. The cause of the fires is believed to be linked to animal poaching activities.
In response to the situation, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has instructed all relevant agencies to urgently address the fires to prevent further spread. The governor of Nakhon Ratchasima and the army commander for northeastern Thailand are overseeing the firefighting operations.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment expects the fires to be under control by today.
The situation remains critical, and authorities are urging the public to cooperate fully with fire prevention measures to protect Thailand’s valuable forest resources.
