The creation of a commercial forest plantation office to supervise Bangkok’s timber industry and promote commercial farming of trees has been proposed
Deputy agriculture minister Newin Chidchob suggests the new office would supervise economic forests nationwide, leaving the protected and reserved forests under the responsibility of the natural resources ministry.
He added: “Demand for wood planks and logs, especially rubber trees, keeps soaring in the world market. So, it is necessary to have another agency supervise wood production and sales. The office would generate a huge revenue for the country.”
His suggestion that the Forest Industry Organisation (FIO) should be split up in the reshuffle has met opposition with the FIO saying the proposal would disrupt the timber industry.
