800 pieces of Siamese rosewood seized in Sa Kaew
Crime Suppression Division (CSD) officers have seized 800 pieces of Siamese rosewood, which were reportedly hidden in a residence house in Sa Kaew's Khao Chakan district pending transport to a third country, an informed source said on Thursday.
A combined team of police and army officers raided the four-rai compound in tambon Nong Wa on Tuesday evening following a tip that the house, owned by Prasert Saowakhon. 57, was being used to hide Siamese rosewood. During the search the team discovered the wooden pieces along with three scales, one pulley and one circular saw and seized the items for further inspection. Prasert was charged with illegal possession of Siamese rosewood.
However Prasert only provided a partial confession, saying that these were old wooden pieces that had been in his possession for a long time and denying any intention to re-sell.
CSD officer Pol Lt Col Krissada Sonthi said the initial investigation found that the Siamese rosewood stash might be related to a local female influential figure for the purpose of re-selling to a third country. The value of the wood was estimated at Bt15 million.