SURIN: Two villagers were arrested with a quantity of payung wood in their possession and charged with illegally felling protected trees in Sangkha district, police said.
They were caught on Monday by police for the prevention and suppression of crime against natural resources and the environment.
The team, led by Pol Capt Pramote Thiangtham, went to a clearing in Huay Samran forest, south of Moo 10 village in tambon Thepraksa, in response to informants' reports that payung trees, or siamese rosewood, had been illegally cut and processed there.
Police searched the site and seized 39 pieces of processed payung wood, worth about 157,500 baht, a chainsaw with a long blade, four axes, two small lorries, a home-made rifle and 20 methamphetamine pills.
Two men, Narongrit Pramernchai, 35, and Uan Sapsee, 42, both from Sangkha district, were arrested.
They were charged with illegally felling protected trees, a violation under the Forestry Act (1941) and having drugs in possession.