Panel set up to probe alleged illegal logging by PEA officials in national park



BANGKOK: -- A fact-finding investigating panel has been set up to the illegal logging of several trees in the Mae Ngao national park allegedly by the order of the Mae Sariang district chief of provincial electricity authority.

Mr Thirapong Burirak, director of Zone One of the Provincial Electricity Authority based in Chiang Mai, said Wednesday that his office was in the process of seeking permission from Mae Hong Son provincial forestry office to cut the trees beside a road from the national park to Sob Moei district to pave way for the installation of power poles.

However, he admitted that the Mae Sariang PEA chief took the liberty to cut down the trees first without the permission.

“We follow the rules of the Forest Department. We do not exploit the logs for personal gain,” said Mr Thirapong who, nevertheless, promised that officials who broke the rules for vested interest will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

It was reported that a total of 226 trees were cut down. Park officials who found out the illegal logging then lodged a complaint with the Sob Moei district police against the officials concerned.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/157535


-- Thai PBS 2016-03-31

It takes 25 people to figure out that they were cutting a right-of-way for electricity?

So PEA gets permission after the fact to cut the already downed trees. Trees were probably already in a designated PEA right of way for power poles. So nothing really illegal.

There was no allegation that anyone personally benefitted from the cut trees. So nothing illegal.

So PEA gets permission after the fact to cut the already downed trees. Trees were probably already in a designated PEA right of way for power poles. So nothing really illegal.

There was no allegation that anyone personally benefitted from the cut trees. So nothing illegal.

Umm ... someone cut the trees without permission. I'm afraid that is illegal.