THREE INDIANS were arrested today (Apr. 27) after police raided their illegal sawmill in lower northern Phichit province where wood was being processed for export, TV Channel 7 said this afternoon.
Natural Resources and Environmental Crime police got a warrant to search the sawmill and showed up together with Pho Thale district officials after residents complained that dust particles from production of wood veneer sheets is affecting their health with the dust also clinging to their belongings and appliances.
Police found that there were three Indian nationals living at the sawmill with one of them being the manager but as he had overstayed he was referred to Immigration police for prosecution.
Workers at the sawmill said the three Indians shared the workload including paying wages and teaching them how to peel logs and dry wood.
The Indians told police the dried wood was for export markets.
Within a woodshed police found a kiln that was still running. Drying the wood gives off smoke and they spayed water to catch the falling dust particles which then turned black and flowed into public water sources without being treated.
Investigation revealed that this sawmill was opened as a factory by a company owned by Mr. Kotchakarot Parthanawong who when contacted admitted he had not applied for permission to operate a business that is actually harmful to health.
Pho Thale municipality officials ordered a halt to this business and will be filing a lawsuit for running an operation harmful to health.
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Police and officials searching the illegal sawmill. Photo: TV Channel 7
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