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BKK POST: Witness ask for protect
- Subject: BKK POST: Witness ask for protect
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 29 Mar 1998 07:44:00
March 29, 1998
Witness ask for
protection from
the mafia
Chiang Mai
Local residents have sought the protection of the authorities
after they were threatened by the teak logging mafia for exposing
the Chiang Dao National Park encroachment.
A number of residents who acted provided information to the
authorities on illegal logging activities feared for their lives after
receiving the threat and have asked the governor for protection.
A logging crackdown team led by Chiang Dao district chief
Bovornsak Thephasadin na Ayutthaya surveyed the park only to
find tree stumps scattered across some 10,000 rai of forest land.
Large trees as old as 20 years had been cut down, said Mr
Bovornsak. The officials suspected most of the logs might be
hidden in a nearby forest reserve.
So far, the team has seized 185 logs including those partially
burnt by loggers who attempted to destroy them to hide the
evidence.
The witnesses said some of them as well as highlanders were
hired by local businessmen to fell trees using heavy machinery.
Many highlanders were duped into working for the loggers and
were eventually driven out of the forest by the businessmen
without promised pay, said a villager. He identified one of the
logging traders as an influential senior local leader.
Pravit Srisobhon, Chiang Mai governor, has ordered the
provincial police task force to patrol suspected areas in the
national park and take necessary steps to wipe out illegal
logging.
Border police reinforcements were prepared to move in if
needed, he said, adding he has personally instructed the officers
to tighten security for the witnesses.
The governor contended there was only a remote possibility that
the loggers might try to mix up the Chiang Dao logs with those
imported from Burma the same way Salween timber was
disguised.
Chaiwat Pongsopha, Chiang Mai forestry official, shared the
view, saying Thai Sawadi and Co has been awarded the right to
haul Burmese logs through Ban Aruno Thai pass nearest to the
Chiang Dao park.
The firm, however, managed to import a small number of logs as
it ran into financial trouble and could not compete with more
profitable operators in Mae Hong Son.
The company's timber import licence will expire at the end of the
month, said Mr Chaiwat.
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Last Modified: Sun, Mar 29, 1998