NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 13 February 2026, more than 3000 rai (4.8 sq km) of forest at the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Wang Nam Khiao district have been scorched by a fast-moving wildfire, with officials racing to contain the blaze along firebreak lines.

The fire broke out at approximately 20:40 on 12 February in the Ban Wang Nam Khiao area, within the research station’s grounds in Udom Sap subdistrict, Wang Nam Khiao district. Flames spread rapidly towards Ban Ba Dan village, prompting station officials to coordinate with firefighters and water trucks from the Udom Sap Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and other agencies.

Dry, hot weather conditions, combined with an accumulation of fallen leaves and branches, fuelled the rapid spread of the fire.

Local leaders, including the Udom Sap kamnan, village headmen and assistants, monitored the situation and reported developments to the Wang Nam Khiao district chief.

Although firebreaks had already been established across the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve — which covers parts of the Khao Phaeng Ma National Reserved Forest in Wang Nam Khiao and Pak Thong Chai districts — the blaze, which began in a eucalyptus plantation adjacent to the reserve, intensified and spread quickly.

Mr. Surachit Waengsothorn, director of the research station, said the affected area is primarily dry dipterocarp forest, which is naturally fire-resistant and typically experiences seasonal fires during the dry period.

“The dry dipterocarp forest under the station’s supervision covers about 6,400 rai across Wang Nam Khiao and Pak Thong Chai districts. Around 80% has now been burned. However, there has been no significant damage to the trees, as most species have fire-resistant trunks,” he said.

He explained that seasonal fires are part of the ecosystem. Preventing fires for several consecutive years could alter the forest into dry evergreen forest, which would threaten wildlife such as hares, partridges and quails that depend on the current habitat.

Fire engines are unable to access deep forest areas, so officials are spraying water along 3 m-wide firebreaks to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby communities surrounding the station.

Controlled burns had previously been conducted to reduce fuel loads. However, wildfires in the dry dipterocarp forest occur annually, typically affecting up to 80% — or roughly 4,000 rai — of the total 6,400 rai.

Authorities are continuing close surveillance along boundary areas and coordinating with Udom Sap, San Chao Pho and Phu Luang subdistrict administrative organisations. Fire engines will be deployed to high-risk areas as needed.

At present, the fire remains active but is less intense, with officials maintaining containment efforts at multiple points.

SA KAEO — 13 February 2026, A joint border patrol in Sa Kaeo province arrested 16 Chinese nationals who allegedly entered Thailand illegally through a natural border crossing in Aranyaprathet district, seizing 266 mobile phones and one notebook computer. Authorities believe the group may have fled Poipet and attempted to relocate operations into Thailand.

Authorities believe the group may have fled Poipet and attempted to relocate operations into Thailand.

According to reports from the Khlong Hat Task Force, a patrol team from Ranger Company 1305, working with the Khlong Hat Task Force cavalry unit and the Burapha Task Force’s Company 3, was conducting surveillance along the Thai–Cambodian border shortly after midnight when officers spotted a group of individuals carrying luggage and walking through a natural passage into Thailand.

The group was intercepted between border markers 72 and 73 near Ban Khlong Wa Mai, Moo 7, Thap Phrik subdistrict, Aranyaprathet district, approximately 1 km from the borderline.

Officials identified the group as 16 Chinese nationals — 15 men and one woman — all of whom were unable to produce passports or valid travel documents upon request.

A search of their belongings uncovered 266 mobile phones and one notebook computer. None of the suspects claimed ownership of the devices.

Through an interpreter, the suspects told authorities they had previously travelled to Poipet, Cambodia, where they worked as administrators for scam-related online pages. They claimed their employer was preparing to transfer them to another location or a third country against their will, prompting them to plan a return to China via Thailand.

Investigators said the group hired a Cambodian broker to transport them to the banks of Khlong Nam Sai canal at a rate of 3,500 baht per person before crossing illegally into Thailand. They then trekked through sugarcane fields until they were apprehended.

All 16 suspects were taken to Ranger Company 1305 in Ban Khlong Sombun, Moo 2, Thap Phrik subdistrict, before being handed over, along with the seized items, to investigators at Khlong Nam Sai Police Station in Sa Kaeo for further legal proceedings.