Trespassing of forests in Burma from Thailand

by Usa Pichai
Sunday, 29 November 2009 01:06

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Thai officials have seized illegal logs in the National Park on the Thailand-Burma border, even as local Burmese authorities lodged a protest with Thailand after they found about 2,000 acres of forests in Burma had been trespassed and cleared.

Thai senators, who are members of the military committee of Thailand’s Senate, led by Pol Gen Sonthaya Sangpao, used a helicopter to inspect the contentious National Park on the Thailand–Burma border in Chumporn Province, given the severe deforestation and poaching of wildlife. This has triggered conflict with local politicians.

Local authorities in Chumporn Province bordering Mon State of Burma have decided to step up restriction after it discovered deforestation of large areas of Krom Laung Chumporn National Park, which was being trespassed. A nexus between businessmen and local politicians is suspected.

The national park is in Tasae district of Chumporn Province in southern Thailand. The deforestation and trespassing was by businessmen who want to be into coffee or palm oil plantation by hiring local Thai and Burmese villagers to fell trees. Currently the destroyed area accounts for a total of about 20,000 rais or 8,000 acres.

Karan Supakijvilekakarn, Chumporn Governor reported to the senators that the officials found 500 illegal wood boards on Thursday hidden in the area and arrested eight loggers, according to a report by the Thai National News Bureau.

Col Pornsak Poonsawat, commander of the Thai Army’s 25th Infantry revealed that “there are about 8,000 rais (2,000 acres) of forests in Burmese territory, which has been destroyed and trespassed. The Burmese authorities have submitted a letter through the Thai Embassy in Rangoon demanding the Thai government expedite solving the problem.”

However, local politicians denied any nexus but the Senate Committee is investigating.

The Thai cabinet imposed martial law in 2008 in this area to protect the national park. The Thai military sent in troops to the area on 16 November 2009 because it is apprehensive that the problem would increase and affect bilateral relationships with neighbouring countries.

In addition, the local environmentalist Damnern Woraphan, a staff of the Wild Life Rescue Center Chumporn Province, and Wild Life Friend of Thailand Foundation said poaching of wild life is for commercial purposes meant for selling to tourists. This has increased particularly along the Thailand – Burma border in Tasae district. It goes up, particularly at the end of every year during the holiday season because roadside restaurants have a high demand for wildlife products.