Thailand is to auction 30,000m3 of impounded logs seized from illegal loggers.
The sale of the timber, probably the biggest of its kind ever held in Thailand, is due to start in early October.
Conservationists have criticised the plan, saying it allows illegal loggers to buy logs which they originally felled, thereby perpetuating the illegal trade.
But the government, which has not held a log auction for several years, said the bidding process would ensure the scheme was not exploited by illegal loggers, corrupt officials and companies.
The auction, comprising logs confiscated from across the country since 2002, will be supervised by a joint committee rather than the Forest Industry Organisation, with bidding open to state and private agencies nationwide.
