Wissanu told to look into controversy on use of teakThe NationPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at the weekly press briefing today has assigned his deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam to set up a committee to look into the controversy of using teak in the construction of the new Parliament. The master plan was National Council for Peace and Order on August 1, 2014. Committee member and spokesman, Khwanchai Duangsathaporn, who is also head of Forestry Management Department of Kasetsart University's Forestry Faculty, offered recommendations to settle the conflict.He said the Mae Hor Phra plot became a point of conflict partly due to the Royal Forest Department's decision to use the land itself. Pornpetch explained that the source of the wood should no longer be a problem, adding that the bigger problem is clearing the site and preparing it for construction.The NLA is also considering the contractor's request to extend the construction period by 600 days.The teak controversy prompted reactions from different agencies, including the National Reform Steering Assembly's public health and environment committee. This is despite the fact that the plot was rented to the FIO.Since the FIO's contract with the Royal Forest Department expired last year, it no longer has the right to stake a claim on the plot until the contract is renewed.PM Prayut later stepped in, instructing the Natural Resources and Environment Department to consider declaring the plot as part of a forest reserve so the teak trees can be freely felled.Pornpetch said he had spoken to the FIO, and it has confirmed that the teak required for the construction could be provided, though it did not say exactly where the wood would be taken from.However, he said the wood would come from trees planted by the FIO and not felled from natural forests.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 26, 2016 12:22 UTC