Ex-official an illegal logging suspect

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Ex-official an illegal logging suspect
SUTTHIPONG SETTHARANGSI

AS authorities yesterday continued their hunt for illegal eaglewood loggers who allegedly killed forestry official Prasit Khummoo during a clash on October 14 at the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum's Khon San district, provincial Governor Chusak Treesarn urged police to act against a former official who backed this logging and others involved.

Chusak revealed that Phu Khieo Provincial Court had issued arrest warrants for three Phetchabun-based suspects - Boonleng Saithongkhu, 48, who allegedly shot Prasit; Arthit Khlangsin, 31; and Song Khlangthong, 38. Since the fatal clash, the three suspects had not returned home, he said, adding officials had served the warrants at their Phetchabun homes and urged their relatives to get them to surrender.

The three men were believed to be in hiding in the Phu Khieo Forest, which overlaps Chaiyaphum and Phetchabun provinces, hence officials had now surrounded the forest, he said.

Chusak said the investigation had also identified others involved in the illegal eaglewood trade, including a former official based in Sa Kaew province who was allegedly the investor and gave telephone instructions to the three men to cut down trees in Phu Khieo Forest. Chusak affirmed that those involved would face criminal trial and if they were state officials they would also face a severe disciplinary probe.

An informed source said that the eaglewood logging was carried out by a transnational gang, which reaped immense benefits because eaglewood is an expensive material and is used in perfumes and cosmetics.

The black core of the eaglewood could fetch Bt100,000 per kilogram and a 300ml bottle of such a "perfume head" liquid was reportedly worth Bt300,000-Bt500,000.

The Phukhieo Forest, spread over a million rai, was also the source of the important Chi River in the Northeast, and reportedly has the country's last largest source of scented wood trees. The forest is about to be proposed as a World Heritage Site soon, the source said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Ex-official-an-illegal-logging-suspect-30271106.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-18

[jaltsc]

"... issued arrest warrants for three Phetchabun-based suspects - Boonleng Saithongkhu, 48, who allegedly shot Prasit; Arthit Khlangsin, 31; and Song Khlangthong, 38. "

Thailand's idea of a covert operation. Nothing like giving the suspects a heads up that the authorities are looking to arrest them and giving them a chance to leave the country. Smart...Very Smart.

[canopy]

Disagree. Getting the word out about fugitives can be a very effective way to nab them. Pretty standard even in developed countries.

It says "The black core of the eaglewood could fetch Bt100,000 per kilogram". So why aren't people planting a few?

[Thian]

Disagree. Getting the word out about fugitives can be a very effective way to nab them. Pretty standard even in developed countries.

It says "The black core of the eaglewood could fetch Bt100,000 per kilogram". So why aren't people planting a few?

They should make the "wanted" posters with pictures, just like in the old days. Maybe even a reward on it.

There's much more wood which fetches extreme prices, they can be grown in Thailand but it takes many years to grow them.

And if the Thai all start growing those it will go like the rubbertree's. If marketprices drop for any reason the government has to support them.

[whatproblem]

Who would of thought that an official would be involved in illegal logging?

[waldroj]

...why aren't people planting a few?

Takes 20 years before the resin can be extracted (easier to steal the trees from the forest)!

[SOTIRIOS]

......evil......greedy....immoral....did I leave anything out.....despicable....still not enough....

[jaltsc]

......evil......greedy....immoral....did I leave anything out.....despicable....still not enough....

You left out "Typical"

[Praematura]

Bit ironic that the guys logging and destroying the forest are now hiding within it for safety.

[Thongkorn]

Who would of thought that an official would be involved in illegal logging?

shock horror, who would have thought any High officials would be involved, only poor farmers do this type of thing,

[ableguy]

Who would of thought that an official would be involved in illegal logging?

God forbid, the very thought, in the land of smiles , I hear so many tourists saying how honest and wonderful Thai people are, it must be obvious that these people who commit crime are from Laos or Cambodia , Mynamor, Vietnan, India,China ...........