Minister Urged to Transfer Official in 1 Billion Baht Illegal Logging Scandal

MGR Online•Politics•1h ago

Reader Briefing

An MP is demanding the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment transfer officials implicated in an illegal logging operation worth over 1 billion baht, citing fears of evidence tampering.

•MP Poonsak Janjampee is urging the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment to relocate officials suspected of involvement in illegal logging.
•The operation involves the illegal logging of protected forest areas, with seized timber valued at over 1 billion baht.
•Concerns have been raised about the potential for backdated documents to conceal evidence of wrongdoing.

Overview

•Today (May 21), MP Poonsak Janjampee held a press conference regarding illegal logging, as no response was received from the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment after a previous announcement approximately 10 days prior.
•Over the past approximately 8 months, more than 7 cases of illegal logging in protected forest areas have been apprehended, with seized timber valued at over 1 billion baht.
•The affected areas are under the responsibility of the Forest Resources Office 6, covering Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Loei, Bueng Kan, and Nong Bua Lamphu provinces, where 'stump replacement' and undocumented logging have been frequently detected.
•MP Poonsak Janjampee stated, 'Request that relevant officials be immediately transferred out of the area to prevent interference with evidence, as logging permits, transport documents, or export documents can be backdated.'
•Concerns exist about officials potentially issuing permits and export documents retroactively to cover up illegal logging and exports.
•Poonsak Janjampee will submit an open letter to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment proposing two urgent measures.
•The first proposed action is to immediately transfer involved officials from the area to prevent evidence tampering and ensure a transparent investigation.
•The second proposed action is for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to establish a committee to examine the type of seized timber, as certain types are prohibited for export, which would constitute a clear violation.

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Key Quotes

Phunusak Janjampee

"Request that relevant officials be immediately transferred out of the area to prevent interference with evidence, as logging permits, transport documents, or export documents can be backdated."

ขอให้ย้ายข้าราชการที่เกี่ยวข้องออกนอกพื้นที่ทันที เพื่อป้องกันการแทรกแซงพยานหลักฐาน เนื่องจากเอกสารใบอนุญาตตัดไม้ ใบกำกับการขนส่ง หรือเอกสารส่งออก สามารถออกย้อนหลังได้

Phunusak Janjampee

"In the Phuket case where bribery was reported, officials were transferred within 24 hours, but in this case, several months have passed and the same group of officials are still working in the area."

กรณีจังหวัดภูเก็ตที่มีข่าวเรียกรับส่วย ยังมีการย้ายข้าราชการภายใน 24 ชั่วโมง แต่กรณีนี้ผ่านมาแล้วหลายเดือน ข้าราชการกลุ่มเดิมยังทำงานในพื้นที่เหมือนเดิม

Phunusak Janjampee

"All of this will be submitted to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment for urgent action."

ทั้งหมดนี้จะนำไปยื่นต่อ รมว.ทรัพยากรฯ เพื่อให้เร่งดำเนินการโดยเร็ว

Key Entities

Person

Poonsak Janjampee(พูนศักดิ์ จันทร์จำปี)

Member of Parliament for the 'Orange Party' who is raising concerns about illegal logging and urging ministerial action.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment(รมว.ทส.)

The government official responsible for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, being urged to take action on an illegal logging scandal.

Organization

Orange Party(พรรคส้ม)

Political party represented by MP Poonsak Janjampee, bringing attention to the illegal logging issue.

Royal Forest Department(กรมป่าไม้)

Government agency that provides essential data on timber types and logging permits, crucial for the investigation.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI)(กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ)

Investigative agency that is beginning to look into the illegal logging case.

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)(คณะกรรมการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริตแห่งชาติ)

Anti-corruption body that will be involved in the investigation of the illegal logging scandal.

Forest Resources Office 6(สำนักงานทรัพยากรป่าไม้ที่ 6)

The specific government office responsible for the forest areas where illegal logging has been detected.

Place

Protected Forest Area(ป่าอนุรักษ์)

The locations where illegal logging activities have been reported, with a value of over 1 billion baht in seized timber.