Missing forestry official found dead in a ravine

A 55-year-old forestry official who went missing two days ago in a wildlife sanctuary in Khun Yuam district of Mae Hong Son province was found dead in a ravine today (April 23).

Karun Waisawang, a forestry official at Forest Research and Development Centre in Khun Yuam district, went missing on April 21 when his wife, Mrs Onrana Tipakham, alerted police that she received a phone call from her husband, saying that he was detained by unknown group of armed men while conducting field work at Doi Wiang La wildlife sanctuary.

Mrs Onrana said the phone was cut off before she could ask for more details and she was unable to contact Karun again.

Authorities traced Kurun’s mobile phone signal and began the search operation yesterday when they found his motorcycle, survival kits, food packages, and walking traces in the wildlife sanctuary.

The search resumed this morning and they found Karun’s body at the bottom of a ravine, about 2 kilometres from the wildlife sanctuary office.

Royal Forest Department deputy director-general Jarasak Nantawong, who traveled to Khun Yuam district to direct the search by himself, said authorities were collecting evidence and inspecting the scene to find out what happened to Karun.