OFFICERS of the Samui Water Resource Office recently caused the arrest of illegal loggers operating in the Wang Sao Thong Waterfall area, Moo 2, Namuang. The Water Resource officers, led by its chief, Wutthikul Ngampanya, accompanied policemen who arrested three loggers while in the act of felling trees at the top of the Wang Sao Thong Waterfall.

The policemen and water resource officers seized from the loggers a chain saw, a big knife, two axes and more than 100 cut logs as evidence.When the raiding team reached the waterfall area, they heard the noise created by a chain saw, and later saw workers cutting trees. When the workers saw the authorities, they scampered away, leaving behind their logging tools.

Three of them, however, were caught after a brief chase. The arrested workers were Burmese employed allegedly by a capitalist from Samui. The accused refused to reveal his name.

From the investigation, the policemen and officers found that trees on a seven rai (1.12-hectare) forest area, which overlooks the sea, had been cut.

The officers found more than 100 hardwood logs, each measuring 4-5 meters. The logs were ready to be transported.

Many felled trees were also waiting to be cut up. Mr. Wutthikul said the cut logs were estimated to be worth around Bt1.5 million.

He said the forestry area on Koh Samui covers 24,000 rai, of which 18,000 rai, as of 2006, have been stripped of many trees.