1 killed in forest shooting
Illegal loggers shot dead forest officer Pipat Klangpraphan in Mukdahan early yesterday.
Seven officials, including Pipat, were patrolling forested areas of the Phuphathoep National Park in the early hours when they noticed some 30 illegal loggers with several felled Siamese Rosewood trees.
The officials shot into the sky twice to warn the loggers before moving to make arrests. However, some loggers shot back and a bullet hit Pipat in the head.
The gunfire exchange lasted for about five minutes, after which the loggers retreated. Inspection showed the trees were over a century old. Police have launched a manhunt for the loggers.
