To Intercept Forestry Crimes Is to Save Khmer Citizens from Dying in Thailand

To Intercept Forestry Crimes Is to Save Khmer Citizens from Dying in Thailand

The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 659

“Phnom Penh: The campaign to intercept forestry crimes not only saves the forest in Cambodia from being destroyed, but it also saves the lives of Khmer citizens, as some had been killed by Siamese [Thai] soldiers along the border.

“General Chea Dara said so during a speech on 8 April 2010 at Phnom Penh City Hall.

“Mr. Chea Dara said that so far, there is no threat against the peace along the border like in previous times. “But as I had said earlier – the situation is good one day and bad another day, because the border situation is still irregular.”

“He added that the order of the head of the Royal Government for the troops to cooperate in fighting forestry crimes has been effectively carried out – the troops do not just defend the border. The interception of forestry crimes helps to prevent that more citizens will suffer from fatal shootings by Siamese soldiers who accused many citizens of entering Thai territory to cut trees illegally.

“Mr. Chea Dara recognized that some Khmer citizens had been attracted by the offers of big wood traders who hired them to cut trees. It was these wood traders who led Khmer workers to their death in order to fulfill the greed of these merchants making the workers to become victims.

“Mr. Chea Dara added that since the beginning of the campaign to crack down on forestry crimes nearly one month ago, all big wood traders along the border disappeared, and there are no more workers who cut trees across the border. Before, Khmer citizens from three provinces bordering Siam: Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Banteay Meanchey, had suffered a lot, as many had been arrested and shot dead by Siamese soldiers. Most of those who were fatally shot had been accused by Siam that they had entered to cut trees in their territory illegally. Some were arrested for crossing the border illegally, or for drug smuggling. But now, there are no more Khmer citizens who might be killed being shot by Siamese soldiers for forestry crimes.

“The head of the Oddar Meanchey police, Mr. Men Ly, told Kampuchea Thmey on 8 April 2010, that most Khmer citizens who had been killed came from his province, but now, this problem no longer exists.

“He added that the activities of big wood traders who used to do their trade actively both day and night, using workers to drag wood [out from Thailand] have now become quiet.

“Mr. Men Ly went on to say that to intercept these activities makes some citizens lose income from the wood traders who used to hire them, but this does not affect most citizens in Oddar Meanchey.

“He said they are not affected because all big wood traders who used to buy wood from them [which they had been sent to steal from Thailand] do not live in Oddar Meanchey, and the citizens whom they hired to cut wood are the same [they are not Oddar Meanchey residents].

“Previously, both wood traders and those who had been hired, had caused many troubles for the Oddar Meanchey authorities. The Oddar Meanchey residents thank Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen for this campaign.

“Mr. Men Ly added that there is nobody who enters Thailand to cut trees, and if somebody would cut trees, nobody buys them. Thus, whatever the reason, everything is finished.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.9, #2223, 9.4.2010

This article was first published by The Mirror, [3] Vol. 14, No. 659 - Friday, 9.4.2010
Have a look at the last editorial - you can access it directly from the main page of The Mirror. [3]

Norbert Klein is the Editor of The Mirror [4] – The Mirror is a daily comprehensive summary and translation of the major Khmer language press - More about The Mirror [5]