1 September 1990

Seub Nakhasathien, Wildlife sanctuary chief commits suicide

Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary chief, Seub Nakhasathien, 41, shot himself in the head, sending shockwaves through the conservation community.

Seub’s untimely death was apparently prompted by extreme frustration over his inability to stem wildlife and forest poaching in Huai Kha Khaeng and despair at the government’s lack of support for conservation work. His death highlighted the obstacles he faced in the war to save dwindling forests and wildlife. He had been confronted by a series of heavy-handed poaching sorties by state officials and local hunters armed with military weapon.

Huai Kha Khaeng has since been declared a World Natural Heritage park. The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation was set up to honour the conservationist’s life and work and carry on the fight to protect the country’s forests and wildlife. A memorial to Seub was also erected in Huai Kha Khaeng.

1 September 1990

Seub Nakhasathien, Wildlife sanctuary chief commits suicide

Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary chief, Seub Nakhasathien, 41, shot himself in the head, sending shockwaves through the conservation community.

Seub’s untimely death was apparently prompted by extreme frustration over his inability to stem wildlife and forest poaching in Huai Kha Khaeng and despair at the government’s lack of support for conservation work. His death highlighted the obstacles he faced in the war to save dwindling forests and wildlife. He had been confronted by a series of heavy-handed poaching sorties by state officials and local hunters armed with military weapon.

Huai Kha Khaeng has since been declared a World Natural Heritage park. The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation was set up to honour the conservationist’s life and work and carry on the fight to protect the country’s forests and wildlife. A memorial to Seub was also erected in Huai Kha Khaeng.