Thai border: Sar Kheng chastises authorities over illegal logging

[geovalin]

Interior Minister Sar Kheng has blamed local officials posted along the Cambodian-Thai border for failing to curb the flow of illegal loggers sneaking across the border to cut down trees in Thailand. Mr Kheng said on Saturday in Oddar Meanchey province that up to 100 Cambodian loggers are being deported daily by Thai authorities. He called on all officials to step up their efforts to curb the practice of crossing the border to fell trees.

 

“In one day, Thai authorities deport between 80 and 100 Cambodians – I look at this every day,” Mr Kheng said. “It’s because they are illegally logging in Thailand. There’s no doubt that officials along the border have allowed this to happen.”

 

He also called on Thai authorities to refrain from shooting suspected Cambodian loggers and instead use legal action to bring them to justice. “Cambodian illegal loggers are mostly victims who failed in the illegal rosewood business. I reported to Thai authorities to see how this situation can be improved,” Mr Kheng added. “Many Cambodian illegal loggers have been fired upon in recent years.”

 

read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50551911/sar-kheng-chastises-border-authorities-over-illegal-logging/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 19/11

[AhFarangJa]

18 hours ago, geovalin said:

“Many Cambodian illegal loggers have been fired upon in recent years.”

(After they failed to provide the requisite fees....)