With reference to recent news reports by certain foreign newspapers concerning a clash between the Thai patrol unit and a group of arm – guarded Cambodian illegal loggers on 3 November 2012 in the border area of Trat Province, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state the following facts in response to some inaccuracies in the reports:

1. Illegal logging is a serious problem, in which the Thai government and authorities concerned have been actively preventing through enforcement and awareness raising campaign. Meanwhile, it is also a regional and international problem that Thailand has been active in addressing bilaterally, regionally, and globally.                 

2. Illegal entry into Thai territory and illegal logging are both criminal offences under the Thai law and offenders are subject to arrest and prosecution in accordance with the relevant law.         

3. There are several hundred unreported cases per year of ordinary village people from across the border illegally entering Thailand, many with the intent to carry out illegal logging.  As the Thai government attaches great importance to maintaining close and cordial relations with our neighbour, the Thai authorities concerned have often adopted a lenient approach to unintentional and/or first-time individual offenders by only reprimanding and releasing them soon after arrest.  

4. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that in many cases, illegal loggers are led by organized and arm-guarded groups who opened fire at the Thai patrol units when arrest attempt was made. In such instances, the patrol units were forced to exercise their legitimate right of self defense. Indeed, it must be stressed that there are strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) for this kind of situation and the Thai officials have always strictly adhered to these SOPs, only using force as a last resort.

5. Information in news reports which claimed that during the first six months of this year 38 illegal loggers lost their lives, are incorrect. According to the data from the Thai – Cambodian Coordination Office, released at the end of June 2012, 13 illegal loggers died from exchange of gunfire during the period from January – June 2012.            

6. Concerning the incident that took place on 3 November 2012, as reported in the above-mentioned news report, the following information was furnished by the Thai – Cambodian Coordination Office. At 15.30 hours, the Thai marine para-military company 515 conducted a routine patrol and confronted an armed group of 6-7 Cambodian illegal loggers in Trat province, approximately one kilometer inside Thai territory. After identifying themselves and instructing the illegal loggers to stop their action, the latter opened fire at the patrol unit. Following an exchange of gunfire, 3 illegal loggers were found dead, while the rest fled the scene. The Thai marine para-military company found one AK-47 rifle and one piece of processed rosewood at the scene.  It should be noted that reports from Cambodian newspapers, namely Rasmei Kampuchea and the Phnom Penh Post published on 6 – 7 November 2012, reporting on the same incident, clearly mentioned that certain members of the illegal logging group were bearing arms and used them against the Thai officials.             

7. The Thai authorities have acted in every case with the utmost restraint and have made every effort to avoid the use of force against the illegal loggers. However, it is the Thai Government’s firm belief that the problem must be resolved at the source. That is, to ensure that Cambodian villagers living along the border area are well-informed of the consequences of illegal logging and not lured into these activities by anyone. The authorities of both countries are stepping up cooperation to prevent and suppress cross-border illegal logging activities, and these efforts need to be sustained.

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