Loggers slam border delay

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

February 21, 1999 
Loggers slam border delay
Closure of border 'has cost millions'

Onnucha Hutasingh

Timber importers are lashing out at the government for delaying the re-opening
of border passes in Mae Hong Son, describing the action as "brainless" which
has cost their business millions of baht.

Somchai Eiwsuay, assistant manager of S.A. Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, said the
company has lost tens of millions of baht as a result of the closure of border
passes after the Salween log laundering scandal.

"We have lost tens of millions of baht and are still counting. We have about
180 workers to pay, 30 elephants to feed and three tractors to maintain," said
Mr Somchai.

Workers and equipment have been put on stand-by and are ready to haul timber
into the country once an order to reopen the border passes comes, he said.

The company has received a logging concession from Myanmar Timber Enterprise
(MTE) and plans to import 30,000 tonnes of timber seized along the border.

Mr Somchai appealed to the government to reopen the border passes as soon as
possible, saying the concession licence is about to expire in April.

The government has closed border passes since the log laundering scandal in
Salween National Park broke early last year, saying the action would prevent
log laundering.

However, such an action has been branded by some timber importers as
"nonsense".

One of them, who refused to be identified, said the government's claim is a
show of brainlessness.

"It is all about the government's indecisiveness and the brainless state of
government officials who think closing the border passes would prevent log
laundering," he said.

He said he has paid more than US$300,000 for the concession, plus interest on
the bank loans.

The importer said he has come to terms with the fact that "nothing is free in
the world" but asked the parties concerned not to be "greedy".

To import logs, importers are required to ask for a permit from the Customs
Department and the Forestry Department. In addition, the request will be
considered by the National Security Council and the Interior Ministry. The
final decision rests with the cabinet.

Four companies have asked for reopening of border passes in Mae Hong Son to
haul logs into the country via border passes.


S.A. Pharmaceutical Co Ltd asks to import 8,000 cubic metres of timber via
Huay
Phueng in Muang district; Songkraoh Sahai Ruamrop Korea Co Ltd asks to import
1.4 million cubic metres of timber via Doi Saeng pass in Muang district;
Polpana Co Ltd seeks to import 1,210 logs and 480 cubic metres of timber via
Mae Ngao in Khunyuam district; and B and F Goodrich Co Ltd seeks to import
1,200 cubic metres of timber through Huay Ton Nun in Khunyuam district.
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Last Modified: Sun, Feb 21, 1999
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