TEN mahogany trees more than 100 years old have been felled by timber poachers in natural forest on the Kamala Hill between Kathu and Patong, Governor Wichai Praisa-nob said today.
The governor went to the area yesterday with volunteers and officials around 3pm to arrest the men as they used chain-saws to cut the trees into pieces.
The tree-fellers ran off when they saw the large official party coming. Officials valued the felled timber at about five million baht.
''There are still some fine mahogany specimens left,'' the governor said.
''But some of the ones that were chopped down would have a circumference equal to three people with their hands outstretched.''
He urged locals who see large trees being lopped in Phuket's hills to let authorities know immediately.
The felled trees that the loggers left behind after two weeks of activity remain government property.
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The governor went to the area yesterday with volunteers and officials around 3pm to arrest the men as they used chain-saws to cut the trees into pieces.
The tree-fellers ran off when they saw the large official party coming. Officials valued the felled timber at about five million baht.
''There are still some fine mahogany specimens left,'' the governor said.
''But some of the ones that were chopped down would have a circumference equal to three people with their hands outstretched.''
He urged locals who see large trees being lopped in Phuket's hills to let authorities know immediately.
The felled trees that the loggers left behind after two weeks of activity remain government property.
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