PATHUM THANI -- A special task force of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department on Wednesday raided a warehouse in Khlong Luang district and seized about three tonnes of protected phayung wood, or Siamese rosewood.
The raid was led by Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, leader of the department's Phaya Sua task force for the suppression of encroachment and destruction of natural resources.
It followed an investigation which revealed the warehouse was used a storage and distribution point for phayung wood poached from national forest reserves.
The warehouse owned by Sila Mankhong Co at Moo 5 village in tambon Khlong Si of Khlong Luang district had been rented by Sompong Pimsen, 67, of Ayutthaya's Wang Noi district, whoi used it for storing the wood, Mr Chawat said.
About three tonnes of phayung wood, worth about 3 million baht, was seized.
Mr Sompong was charged with illegal logging in national forest reserves and illegally having wood from protected trees in his posession.
Phayung, also known as Siamese rosewood, is a favourite of log poachers, who seem undeterred by state crackdowns and continue in pursuit of profits. The wood is in high demand by furniture-makers for its high quality and beautiful patterns.