Acting on a tip-off, Kathu District Officer Sayan Channachaiwong led a team, some armed, to the site in the hills. When they arrived it looked as though the loggers had fled only minutes before, leaving the lumber behind.
When they arrived at Ban Bangwan Kamala hill, the encroachers appeared to have left the scene in a hurry, leaving the timber behind.
The raiders found 46 planks concealed in bushes. They now hope to be able to identify those responsible for raping the forest.