Total ban on furniture export to Thailand

Independent Mon News Agency

July 13, 2004

Burmsese military government, SPDC, authorities in Three Pagoda Pass border town totally banned the funiture and log exports to Thailand, according to a furniture factory owner.

“The authorities already ordered to the logging bussinessmen and funiture factory owners to not export furniture and logs in Thailand since July 9, after an order came from Karen State Peace and Development Council. But they totally banned at mid-day today that they will not allow any furniture and logs to export to Thai side of the border,” said Mr. Nai Htay a funiture trader.

“On July 7 the authorities sent an order letter to the logging bussinessmen around the Three Pagoda Pass area to stop logging for a while,” Mr. Htay, who is also a member of Furniture Factory Association added.

“In the order, the autorities wanted the logging businessmen to have concessions from the authorities by paying 2000.00 Baht per ton and the authorites also said each funiture factory also needed to make permission from the authorities like logging business,” Mr. Htay and Mr. Nai Myit Hlaing said.

“Before it happened the biggest funiture factory owner in Three Pagoda Pass, Ms. Daw Saw Khin and the authorities called a meeting with the factory owners about the permission,” Mr. Nai Myit Hlaing added

“Daw Saw Khin, who kept 300 tons of logs for her funiture factory paid 40 Million Kyat to Karen State Peace and Development Council for permission, and would like to act as a commissioner for doing permition,” Mr. Hlaing exposed.

“Funiture factory owners do not want to do permission. Only logging bussinessmen who cut trees need to permission. We are not involving in logging concessions. We buy logs that already produced from the logging businessmen with permission. If we need to do permission, all factories in Three Pagoda Pass will close, we already decided for it,” said Mr. Hlaing and Mr. Htay, who are the members of Furniture Factory Association in Three Pagoda Pass.

“But Township Peace and Development Council aslo afraid of the furniture factory business will be collapsed,” according to source close to the authorities.

Karen State PDC Superintendent Mr. U Tun Thein, ordered to Three Pagoda Pass township authorities to stop the logging bussinessmen from illegal logging, when he came to Three Pagoda before the end of year 2003, according to Mr. Hlaing.

In Three Pagoda Pass, most of the logging businesses are illegal and they are doing logging businesses with the understanding of local authorities, according to the Mr. Hlaing.

According to the Furniture Factory Association, there are more than 70 funiture factories in Three Pagoda Pass and it is a main bussiness which are the local people are relying. Thai traders also came and bought many tons of wooden furniture for guess rooms and other household materials.

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