"Chang Ae" met with investigators, denying all allegations and refusing to provide any statements. Police have filed charges according to legal procedures. Whether there is a mastermind behind the case depends on the Kathu Municipality, which oversees the reserved forest, filing additional complaints.
On 5 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Chalermchai Hernsawat, superintendent of Kathu Police Station, gave an update on the case of reserved forest encroachment. Chang Ae, also known as Apichat, and two others constructed a trail running course and a shooting range on the Kamala mountain range, which is 100 percent reserved forest land.
The Kathu police superintendent stated that at around 23:00 last night, Chang Ae and his wife came to meet investigators at the police station, two days before the deadline of the summons. They came to hear charges under the Reserved Forest Act, the Forest Act, and the Excavation and Land Filling Act. However, Chang Ae denied all charges and chose to remain silent, exercising his rights as a suspect. After the hearing, he was released. The two excavator drivers also denied all charges.
The reporter added that the investigation will proceed to determine whether to expand to identify any masterminds or hirers. Chang Ae claimed that "Got Athip" instructed him to build the trail running course and shooting range. The Kathu police superintendent said police must follow up on the complaint filed by the victim regarding forest encroachment. To expand the investigation to the hirers, the Kathu Municipality must file an additional complaint, enabling police to investigate all involved parties.