BKK Post, March 14, 1998. SALWEEN S

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March 14, 1998. SALWEEN SCANDAL

Banharn accused of being key scam figure
NAP MP guarantees debate will be 'fun'

ANew Aspiration MP has accused Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa of 
being a key figure in an act of bribery linked to the Salween logging 
scandal.

Chaiyaphum MP Charoen Chankomol, also chairman of the House committee on 
agriculture, yesterday said Mr Banharn "knows best" about the bribery 
and illegal logging activities.

Mr Banharn has confirmed he had approved a border opening to allow in 
Burmese logs but said the approval was based on requests by government 
agencies concerned. He denied having made any personal gains from the 
approval.

Mr Charoen said Mr Banharn, in his capacity as interior minister, had 
allowed Ska-B, a timber company, to import logs from Burma in July 1996 
despite an objection from the National Security Council which doubted 
the origin of the timber.

"In fact, the Chart Thai Party has all the important information about 
this case and the bribe of 30 million baht," Mr Charoen said.

Mr Charoen, who is looking into the Salween scandal, claimed Mr 
Banharn's permission was believed to have opened the way for log 
poaching in the Salween National Park.

Mr Charoen added the upcoming censure debate which would centre on 
illegal logging should be "fun" because several senior officials were 
involved.

"I guarantee that the debate will be fun, especially when it comes to 
the Salween scandal, because it is about 'big' officials. Officials in 
general couldn't do it," he said.

Mr Charoen said his committee had called several parties concerned to 
testify in connection with the scandal, adding the panel believed some 
officials were in league with log traders.

The panel would ask the Interior Ministry to transfer forestry officials 
and the district chief of Ban Tak following the discovery of 13,000 teak 
logs found in Saha Vanakij Sawmill Co in Tak province, he said.

While authorities could not take action against the owner, Vinai 
Panichayanuban, he said the committee would ask authorities concerned to 
charge Mr Vinai with public land encroachment.

He also accused police of negligence, saying they had failed to report a 
seizure of 13,000 logs, which was made in December last year before the 
scandal broke.

The seizure was reported last month. Newspapers later reported a bribe 
of five million baht had been offered in exchange for the release of the 
seized logs.

According to Mr Charoen, about 4,000 logs were missing and suspected to 
have been processed in order to destroy evidence. He also accused the 
Tak governor of "having something to do with the missing logs". The 
governor was unavailable for comment last night.

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