Illegal loggers yesterday cut down a pricey Siamese rosewood tree at a school in Kalasin province, according to police.
Having sneaked into Kam Hai Wittaya School in Nong Kung Si district yesterday night, the thieves made off with the timber of one of several Siamese rosewoods planted at the school, according to Pol Col Sakchart Laosaksarm of Nong Kung Si District Police Station.
So far, police have no clue as to the whereabouts of the criminals, but this is not the first time illegal logging has occurred at the school.
Last Thursday, the school's director also reported to police an instance of wood being removed from a pricey Siamese rosewood teak on the grounds.
"This [illegal logging] is such an outrageous act. We want the police to arrest these criminals as soon as possible because the whole community is worried. Our school has over 70 Payon [Siamese rosewood] trees which were planted 40 years ago. We are afraid the poachers will return," said Nikorn Nam-soh, director of Kam Hai Wittaya School.
Siamese rosewood is now one of the world's most valuable timbers, especially in China where this dark-cherry teak wood is much sought after for making elaborate furniture. The recently poached timber is expected to fetch up to 1 million baht.
Illegal logging of this type of wood has been frequently reported in forests and national parks in the Northeast. But, due to its rarity, poachers are now turning to the temples and schools in Kalasin province.
