BKK POST: Identity of log owner

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

February 20, 1998


                                     


              Identity of log
              owners known to
              administration
              committee

              Seized timber bears identification seals

              Chakrit Ridmontri

              The owners of 13,000 logs believed to have been felled in
              Salween forests are thought to be known to the House Local
              Administration Committee but it is not saying who they are.

              During an inspection trip to Mae Hong Son early in the week,
              panel members found the seized logs bore seals indicating the
              owners.

              "The seals are in English letters," said Kaew Buasuwan, the panel
              chairman. "But I cannot identify the companies that own the
              seals."

              The owners could be companies that have been pressing the
              Interior Ministry to open temporary border checkpoints in Mae
              Hong Son this year. If allowed, they could import logs from
              Burma, said Mr Kaew.

              Police have identified Saha Wannakit Co as the name on hauling
              permits issued by a local forestry office. The company is
              believed to be a sub-contractor to one of five authorised timber
              importers. However, investigators have yet to find out who the
              company worked for.

              Mr Kaew was puzzled that importers could acquire timber from
              Burma which has banned Thai companies from buying logs on its
              territory.

              "The 13,000 seized logs were definitely cut in the Salween, not
              Burma," said the New Aspiration MP for Phetchabun. "A
              company that owns some of these logs even asked its bank for
              an overdraft to cover the cost of removing timber from the
              jungle."

              Apart from the seized logs, said Mr Kaew, another 30,000 were
              scattered in the park and sanctuary, most of them afloat in the
              Salween River, the natural border.

              Wirat Tayangkhanont, a New Aspiration MP and panel
              member, said logs that originated in Burma must have Burmese
              seals but these had none.

              The Sakon Nakhon MP suggested fake certificates of origin
              were used to get the seized logs past the border checkpoint, but
              he declined to say if the documents existed.

              The panel called on the National Security Council, the Customs
              and Forestry departments, which are concerned with
              cross-border trade, to explain the process in importing logs from
              Burma.

              Each agency agreed the seized logs had been felled illegally in
              Salween forests but none accepted responsibility, saying only
              that the logging was backed by influential figures.

              Prawat Thanadkha, deputy director of the Forestry Department,
              said forest rangers could not safeguard the logging area,
              especially along the border, because of the presence of armed
              Karen refugees.

              Forestry dealt with imported logs only if customs verified the
              certificate of origin and issued tax receipts, he said. Forestry
              officials are responsible for issuing log hauling permits.

              But customs argued tax payment was made after forestry had
              verified the volume of logs indicated in the certificates of origin.

              Boonsak Kamheangridirong, secretary-general of the National
              Security Council, said no logs had been imported from Burma in
              the last six months because border passes were closed and
              would not open from now.

              Gen Boonsak said the council was not the sole agency
              authorised to approve the opening of passes so it could not be
              involved in illegal logging in the Salween.

              According to a committee document, five logging companies
              want the border pass in Mae Hong Son opened for log
              movements from Burma this year.

              They are Thai Industry Venier 999 Co, Friends of Korean War
              Veteran Co, B&S Good Rich Co, Sca B Co, Phol Phana Co
              and S.P.A. Rich Wood Co.

              Last year, only three companies imported logs from Burma
              totalling 4,877.98 cubic metres. The importers are Thai Industry
              Venier 999 Co, Sca B Co and S.P.A. Rich Wood Co.




                                     




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Last Modified: Fri, Feb 20, 1998