Preah Vihear authorities are pursuing legal action against 66 families who illegally encroached on more than 1,000 hectares of land in Preah Vihear province’s Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary. A 67-year-old man, described as the “ringleader” has been detained by the provincial court.

Meas Nhim, deputy director of the Provincial Department of Environment in charge of the protected area, said that three ringleaders, including Dith Saroeun, 67, led the encroachment on forest in the sanctuary in Kulen district, illegally claiming ownership.

He alleged that the three convinced 66 families from within the district, as well as other provinces, to join the illegal occupation and added that 72 houses have been built since 2020.

“[Saroeun] was the mastermind who called people from outside the province to encroach on the land in the area of ​​Thnal Tayos of the sanctuary. With the participation of the village, commune, district and provincial authorities, as well as the armed forces, we have educated him 10 times that it was illegal and warned him not to do it again,” he explained.

He added that until the beginning of August, Saroeun, known as Ta Norn, continued to commit illegal activities by cutting down trees and building houses. Forest ranger patrols, as well as military units, discovered him, detained him and sent him to court.

“They have been encroaching on forest land for several years and have illegally occupied 1,281 hectares of land. We have banned him from doing so many times, but he did not listen. We have run out of time to educate him and we have to enforce the law,” he said.

The Preah Vihear Provincial Court ordered Saroeun detained in the provincial prison on charges of illegal forest clearing, burning and encroachment in Kulen Cheung village and commune of Kulen district, under Article 851 of the Environmental and Natural Resources Code.

The charges have sparked criticism from social media users, who allege that his detention is a form of intimidation and money extortion against the elderly man.

Nhim dismissed the accusations, stating that the enforcement was a court decision and part of the Ministry of Environment's directive to enforce the law in 100 per cent of cases.

“The court considers both the facts and the law. As his actions include criminal elements like destroying the forest, the court has detained him and is continuing its investigations ... It is not, as some have accused, an act of intimidation or abuse against the elderly. We are only enforcing the law. There has been no harm or abuse towards the public, but we are quashing all criminal activities,” he said.

He added that the authorities are continuing to pursue legal action against the 66 families which are currently occupying the land, which is protected by a 1993 Royal Decree. The court is continuing to investigate else who may be involved in the case.

Preah Vihear Provincial Administration director Yong Kimhoeung could not be reached for comment regarding the case.

So far this year, the provincial environment department has taken legal action in at least five cases related to crimes in protected areas, according to Meas Nhim.