CityNews- On the morning of March 10, Pha Muang Task Force and Chiang Dao authorities inspected Ban Huay Nam Rin of Chiang Mai’s Ping Kong sub-district.
The officials seized 18 trees that were illegally logged and are tracing the escaped smugglers to prosecute them for the crime.
According to Colonel Jirawat Nakarat of the Pha Muang Task Force, this search followed a tip-off to police that identified a group of smugglers who had cut and were in possession of red paduak trees (aged around 100 years old).
He believes the smugglers were hired by businessmen who want the paduak wood to make lumber boards. The boards are a valuable product.