Korat: Evidence sought to link pair to illegal logging

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Evidence sought to link pair to illegal logging
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Money Laundering Office and police are collecting more evidence against two alleged financiers of illegal rosewood logging operations in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum in a move to seize more than Bt200 million worth of assets.

Kampanart Chaimart and Nida Wongsai allegedly own 26 vehicles, 24 luxury estates and Bt6 million in cash, officials said yesterday during a raid of their premises in Chaiyaphum.

The pair were arrested carrying Bt4.7 million in cash on a trip to allegedly buy rosewood in the Khao Yai forest area of Korat last Tuesday. They were charged with attempting to bribe officials after they offered the officials Bt1.5 million.

In Mae Hong Son, Mae La Noi district authorities and soldiers are checking on the massive felling of teak trees following a recent confrontation with villagers, who fought against the plan to search for illegally harvested wood in the area.

The locals from 107 ethnic-Karen households blocked the road to their village, saying each family had legally acquired 40 teak logs to build their homes. However, authorities said the logs were far too large for them to have acquired them.

-- The Nation 2014-05-06

[noitom]

This looks like a great Thai bust. offer some incentives to the villagers to start flipping Thai Mr. Bigs.

[Tatsujin]

26 vehicles, 24 luxury estates and only Bt6 million in cash . . . right . . .

[Thaiisnotrequired]

"They were charged with attempting to bribe officials after they offered the officials Bt1.5 million."

Yea, right. Pull the other one.

[onlycw]

Sick $^$%#$#$@#!

How utterly bizarre is this - plundering a national resource for what? To buy cars # 28-30? What next, solid gold taps in all bathrooms at their xx homes?!

It's important to convict these people.

[NongKhaiKid]

"They were charged with attempting to bribe officials after they offered the officials Bt1.5 million."

Yea, right. Pull the other one.

Cheapskates, what self respecting Thai official could be bought so cheaply ?

[NongKhaiKid]

26 vehicles, 24 luxury estates and only Bt6 million in cash . . . right . . .

Where is the missing phrase about ' believed to have links to ... ' ?

[SOTIRIOS]

...what more proof do they need..........pathetic...........

[animatic]

"They were charged with attempting to bribe officials after they offered the officials Bt1.5 million."

Yea, right. Pull the other one.

Cheapskates, what self respecting Thai official could be bought so cheaply ?

They can be bought, but you better not insult them with your first offer.

[marko kok prong]

Happy to see this,it seems one thing they the Authorities actually do care about.