BKK Post, April 8, 1998. SALWEEN SC

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April 8, 1998. SALWEEN SCANDAL

Plodprasop pledges overhaul at forestry
Warning served on timber business
Chakrit Ridmontri

Newly-appointed forestry chief Plodprasop Suraswadi vowed yesterday to 
overhaul the Forestry Department to ensure that it focuses on 
sustainable management rather than harvesting.

He said: "The department's reputation has gradually degenerated and now 
it is called 'the stump department'. I want to revive its dignity and 
reputation as a genuine forest guardian."

The cabinet yesterday confirmed Mr Plodprasop's appointment, replacing 
Sathit Sawintara who has been transferred to an inactive post of an 
inspector general.

Mr Sathit fell from grace after an investigation by an Interior 
Ministry-appointed committee into illegal logging at Salween National 
Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. He and several other forestry officials 
have been implicated.

Mr Plodprasop, formerly a fisheries chief for eight years, became 
secretary general of the Agricultural Land Reform Office last year. He 
is replaced by inspector general Aphichai Karunwanit.

Yesterday, in his first day on the job, Mr Plodprasop outlined his 
policy. He said he would abandon the department's policy of maximising 
forest resources and bring in a more eco-friendly approach.

"I want to send a message to whoever is involved in the timber business 
that it is time they made sacrifices for society. They have long enjoyed 
huge benefits from the forest and now they must stop," said Mr 
Plodprasop, who promised not to be diverted from his task by coercion or 
bribery.

He said he would oversee the prevention of deforestation and suppression 
himself and probing the Salween scandal, and others, would be a 
priority.

Mr Plodprasop said he will work to prevent encroachment, tighten 
check-points and ensure log-hauling permits were closely monitored.

Preventing forest fires during the dry season would also be a priority 
and replanting would begin after the rains started.

"The reforestation project is the most corrupt and ineffective scheme in 
the department," he said. "While I am here, the planting of trees will 
be done seriously."

National parks and wildlife sanctuaries would also be open for 
recreation and ecology studies to promote public awareness about the 
importance of conservation.

He will also ban mangrove forest concessions as soon as the appropriate 
agencies approved his proposal. 

And Mr Plodprasop wants to settle the dispute with the Forum of the Poor 
and farmers' groups over land and forest encroachment and rights.

Meanwhile, about 300 rai of Khao Tham Thong Phannara forest reserve in 
Nakhon Si Thammarat has been ravaged by fire believed to have been 
sparked by villagers who tried to smoke out bees from hives to get at 
the honey.

Tham Phannara district chief Somnuek Phetsom said the fire started on 
Monday morning and damaged more than 100 rai of wildlife-rich forest 
reserve. Steep mountainsides have made it difficult for firefighters and 
volunteers to combat the fire.

Governor Yongyuth Wichaidit said he would ask the army and the 
Agriculture Ministry to put out the fire. 

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