The Thai Anti-Global Warming Association has filed a complaint in the Chiang Mai Administrative Court alleging that the Chiang Mai Province illegally cut down two trees in Saraphi.
The trees in question are located at the intersection of Chiang Mai -Lamphun Road (Highway 106) and the Outer Ring Road (Highway 121) in Tambon Nong Phueng.
The president of the group, Mr. Srisuwan Chanya, told Thai language media that the Province had illegally cut the trees down under Section 100 of the Environmental Act 1992, which dictates that permission to cut down significant or historical trees can only be done with the approval of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The penalty for breaching the Act is imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 100,000 baht or both.
Mr. Chanya also noted that rubber trees are also a protected species under different sections of the act with some breaches having penalties of up to 20 years in jail.
The trees in question were planted along the extent of Chiang Mai – Lamphun Road in the late 19th century and are well known both in Chiang Mai and the north.
