[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

BKK POST: Witness ask for protect



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.




                                      




© The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 1998
Contact the Bangkok Post
Web Comments: Webmaster 

Last Modified: Sun, Mar 29, 1998