Navy levels illegal rubber, oil palm plantations

PHUKET: Chainsaws were roaring in Phuket as the Royal Thai Navy led an about 300-person task force in removing illegal rubber and oil palm trees from more than 82 rai of public land yesterday.

“Officers filed a complaint about the illegal plantations in Suan Pa Bang Kanun in March. However, no owner has stepped forward to account for the trees that are within a Forest Reserve,” said Capt Boworn Promkeawngam of the Royal Thai Navy’s Phuket-based Third Area Internal Security Operations Command.

Once the trees were cut down, a chemical was sprayed on them to prevent them from growing back, Capt Boworn confirmed.

The removal of the trees was in line with the National Reserved Forest Act B.E. 2507 (1964), explained Kasem Sukwaree, chief of the Natural Resources and Environment Phuket office.

“The next step is for the Royal Forest Department to begin a forest restoration project,” Mr Kasem said.

— Chutharat Plerin