Chief to protect last teak forest; Army units deployed to deter poachers
Copyright 2000 Bangkok Post
November 6, 2000
Forestry Department chief Plodprasop Suraswadi yesterday vowed to take drastic measures to protect Mae Yom national park, which is regarded as the country's last tract of teak forest.
He was speaking at a meeting of top forestry officials from Phrae, Lampang, Phayao, Chiang Rai and Nan provinces in the presence of representatives from the Third Army Region.
The Forestry Department must step up patrols in the forest to deter poachers, set up checkpoints to stop delivery of wood out of the forest, and regularly inspect all sawmills to make sure they are not supplied with illegally cut logs.
Wichai Laemwilai, the Phrae forestry chief, has been assigned to take charge of implementing the measures.
The forest protection operation will be supported by paramilitary soldiers of the Third Army and the Agriculture Ministry's aviation division, the forestry chief said.
Concerning a dispute over Thung Buatong in Mae Hong Son province, Mr Plodprasop said it is part of the Mae U-kor forest park.
He said Thung Buatong was declared part of the forest park for conservation and tourism. Local tribesmen have called for the revocation of this status.
The villagers want Thung Buatong returned to them and managed by the Mae U-kor tambon administrative organisation.
Thung Buatong features rolling hills packed for miles with small, golden Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia Diversifolia, or buatong in the local dialect), which bloom between Nov 1-Dec 15.
The annual flower-viewing festival is a high-profile event attracting a large number of tourists.
Mr Plodprasop vowed to maintain the forest park status of Thung Buatong in the interests of the majority.