UBON RATCHATHANI — Two men have been arrested after more than 2,000 wooden planks from various endangered tree species were found hidden at a temple in Phibun Mangsahan district in this northeastern province.
The discovery of power saws and other equipment at Wat Sawang Rattanaram has led to a further investigation to determine whether others might have been involved in processing or storing illegally logged wood on the temple grounds.
Two wooden houses, built on a plot of land inherited by the temple's abbot, were also seized. Some of the wood used in their construction is suspected to have come from endangered trees.
Deputy national police chief Chalermkiart Srivorakhan on Saturday went to the temple in tambon Non Klang to inspect the seized wood, which a team of police, soldiers and local officials had found hidden in the compound and in a pond behind the temple.
Pol Col Saharat Prasongnitjakit, deputy chief of Ubon Ratchathani police, said on Saturday that the raid followed a complaint that logs of rare species were being processed at the temple.
Also seized were a log-hauling vehicle, four power saws and other equipment used for wood processing.
Two men, identified as Thong Saisombat and Prayoon Kapkaew, 48, were arrested on charges of processing wood and having processed wood planks of endangered species in their possession without permission, said Pol Col Saharat.
Police are now trying to determine whether the temple's abbot, Phra Khru Opart Rattanapirom, was involved in the illegal timber processing.
Pol Gen Chalermkiart said he had instructed investigators to look into the origin of the seized timber. If it was unlawfully acquired, those involved must face legal action, he said.
Chansri Thongthap, 39, the younger sister of the abbot, said her family had purchased logs from a nearby area to build the two houses in 2013.
She insisted that all the logs and wooden planks used for the house construction were legally acquired and said she was ready to prove her innocence.