Illegal rubber plantations busted in raid

Wildlife officials have felled more than 5,600 rubber trees in a forest in Hat Chao Mai Marine National Park as part of an operation to tackle forest encroachment in Trang’s Sikao district.

The plantation was partially hidden behind rows of other trees, and covered around 82 rai of forest land, said the park’s chief, Narong Khongiat, who yesterday led a team of 200, including police officers, to inspect the mountainous area in tambon Mai Fat.

The forest, with five villages in its vicinity, remains in good condition though it was disturbed by the illegal cultivation, Mr Narong said.

An initial investigation found the trespassed area had been divided into eight plots of land and one of them, measuring 27 rai, allegedly belongs to a state official.

Investigators accused this official of unsuccessfully trying to “negotiate” with authorities before the operation, Mr Narong said.

Officials at the national park, which occupies areas in Sikao and Kantang districts, are stepping up efforts to crack down on forest encroachers after the government launched a policy to restore national forest areas, which have suffered from decades of man-made destruction.

Another operation was carried out in Nonthaburi late on Monday night when police confiscated mai kraya loei, a type of protected local hardwood, while it was being transported in a pickup truck.

The vehicle rushed away from a house in Siwali housing estate on Tiwanon Road but was later intercepted by the officers.

A check found its driver, Somsak Sukdecho 61, was transporting 19 sheets of the hardwood.

He allegedly admitted to following instructions from his boss and the homeowner, identified as Suni Wongsirotkun, who ordered him to take the wood away.

Earlier in the evening, Pak Kret deputy police chief Pol Lt Col Phonthep Nanthasamroeng led officers to the house after receiving information that its owner had the wood in his possession.

The suspect owns a company located in Pathum Thani’s Sam Khok district.

A raid on its premises the same evening also found large amounts of wood.