Police Raid Illegal Timber Warehouse in Chiang Mai, Arrest Army Officer

[Georgealbert]

 

 

On August 15, at 14:50, officers from the Environmental Crime Division (ECD) conducted a raid on an illegal timber warehouse in Chiang Mai and arrested a Captain in the army, along with others involved, while they were in the process of delivering illegal timber to a local investor.

 

The raid resulted in the arrest of two key suspects:

 

1. Ms. A, a 41-year-old woman, who was charged under multiple sections of the Forest Act for her involvement in illegal timber activities, including possession and transportation of restricted timber without permission. She was also charged under the National Reserved Forests Act for her role in damaging the environment within a national forest without authorisation.

 

2. A 45-year-old Army Captain was arrested for possessing processed restricted timber beyond the legally permitted amount. He was caught transporting the timber to the warehouse.

 

Seized items included:

- 65 planks of processed Siamese Rosewood (Chingchan)

- 115 planks of processed Padauk wood

- 20 large knots of Padauk wood, weighing over a ton

- Two weighing scales

- One pickup truck

 

The raid took place at an unregistered warehouse located in the Suan Hattha Craft Village in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai, and extended to the San Pa Tong bypass.

 

The investigation was part of a larger operation led by Police Lieutenant General Jiraphob Bhuridej, head of the Central Investigation Bureau, to crack down on cross-border environmental crimes, specifically illegal logging and timber trafficking, which has seen a surge in recent months.

 

The warehouse, located in Ban Thawai, a famous handicraft village, was found to contain 65 pieces of processed Siamese Rosewood and 115 planks of Padauk, among other illegal timber. Ms. A, who had been managing the warehouse for over 10 years, claimed she was unaware the timber was illegal and stated that she was only responsible for opening and closing the warehouse.

 

Simultaneously, police received a tip-off about a vehicle carrying illegal timber. They intercepted the truck as it approached the warehouse. The Army Captain, who was driving the vehicle, claimed he had purchased the timber from a local in Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province, and was unaware of its illegal origins. He was delivering the timber to the warehouse’s investor when he was caught.

 

Further investigations revealed that the timber was destined for export, hidden among handicraft products, to international markets. Siamese Rosewood and Padauk are highly sought after by foreign buyers, especially those who believe the woods are auspicious. Siamese Rosewood can fetch up to 1,500 baht per kilogram abroad, while Padauk sells for around 300 baht per kilogram. Knots of Padauk, considered rare, can sell for as much as 2,000 baht per kilogram. The seized timber was estimated to be worth over 10 million baht on the international market.

 

The authorities are continuing to investigate the case and aim to dismantle the international illegal timber smuggling network responsible for these activities. Further arrests are expected as the operation progresses.

 

-- 2024-08-16

 

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[brianthainess]

Ah the good old trusted RTA. Is that a falang 'volunteer' in the photo ? Same shoes as all the cops.