KANCHANABURI: A man was arrested and a quantity of illegally cut timber logs seized at a temple in Sai Yok district of this western border province on Monday.
Sawit Jiamjiraporn, the Sai Yok district chief, led a team of administrative officials and defence volunteers, to search Nong Pla Duk forest temple at Moo 5 village in tambon Si Mongkol .
They were acting on reports it had been used as a base for forest encroachment and the processing of illegally cut wood.
At the temple, Pongsak Sirirat, 24, from Sai Yok district, was detained and some pradoo logs, a chainsaw and a Mitsubishi pickup truck impounded as evidence. A urine test turned purple, indicating he had recenty used an illegal drug.
In a subsequent search of his house at Moo 5 village in tambon Si Mongkol and at six other spots, authorities found and seized a large quantity of processed timber.
Mr Pongsak and the seized goods were handed over to Sai Yok police for legal proceedings.