In a bid to end illegal import of wood, customs and forest officials in Thailand will work together to monitor log movements. They will supervise import and transport of logs and will identify areas where logs can be processed, a customs department official said. Illegal Thai logs have often been found mixed with imported Burmese wood.

Border entry points will be manned by forest department officials, who will inspect the logs before approval by the customs department. Before an approval is given, the latter must submit a letter verifying the checks to the forestry department. The customs department will then be notified to authorise the opening of the approved entry points.

The two agencies will work together to establish temporary transit areas or warehouses where logs will be unloaded and their origins checked. They will also jointly inspect transport routes leading to the unloading areas.