The suspect who shot the head of the Salak Phra Forest Fire Control Station has been arrested. He is a former forest trespasser with a history of drug involvement. The motive is believed to be personal revenge rather than other causes.
Following the incident where the perpetrator, a former suspect, shot the head of the Salak Phra Forest Fire Control Station and was injured in Kanchanaburi, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment coordinated with the police to pursue the suspect, as previously reported.
On 5 Mar 2026 GMT+7, reports stated that authorities have identified the suspect as Mr. Somsak, 57, a former Erawan National Park officer. The motive is believed to be personal revenge. After the incident, he fled into the forest. Officials are tracking him for arrest but have so far only contacted the suspect’s family and trusted associates to encourage surrender. Contact has not yet been made, and it is believed he is hiding in the forest but may turn himself in soon.
Relatives of the injured reported that a bullet was lodged in the abdomen, causing heavy bleeding and low blood pressure. Doctors recently admitted the victim to the ICU for surgery to remove the bullet about 30 minutes ago. The motive appears to be personal revenge; when Mr. Warun met Mr. Somsak, a severe quarrel broke out, leading Mr. Somsak to use his personal firearm to carry out the shooting.
Mr. Atthapon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, revealed that after the audacious shooting of Mr. Warun Chansawang, head of the Salak Phra–Erawan Forest Fire Control Station and deputy head of Erawan National Park, which caused severe injuries earlier that afternoon, police and special operations teams from the department have successfully tracked and arrested the perpetrator.
Mr. Atthapon added that Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has been informed of the arrest and praised the swift coordination of all officials involved, leading to the suspect’s capture within hours. The deputy prime minister instructed investigators to gather evidence to press charges of attempted murder of an official performing duty and firearms offenses.
Initial investigations found the arrested suspect to be a former accused in a forest trespassing case in the Khao Lop forest area (Ban Than Kathi forest), previously arrested by a team led by Mr. Kitti Kanchanawong (Assistant Deputy Head of the Park) on 3 Sept 2025 (Criminal Case No. 282/2568). The suspect reportedly holds grudges and has a history of drug involvement. Upon encountering Mr. Warun while he was on duty extinguishing forest fires, the suspect decided to shoot him from behind.
Regarding Mr. Warun Chansawang’s condition, doctors at Phaholpolpayuhasena Hospital reported that he is now stable but remains under close medical supervision due to multiple gunshot wounds. The Department of National Parks confirmed it will fully support welfare and honor the sacrifice of its officer.
Mr. Atthapon further stated that this act was extremely audacious. The arrest demonstrates that the Department of National Parks and the Ministry of Natural Resources will not tolerate anyone harming officials committed to serving the nation. They will apply strict legal measures against influential individuals or anyone who trespasses or destroys natural resources in any form.