Agriculture Department watches out for smuggling of durian seedlings

BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) – Officials of the Department of Agriculture are watching out for possible smuggling of durian seedlings out of Phrachuap Khiri Khan as many fruit tree seedlings including durian ones were found near the border there. Suwit Chaikiattiyos, director-general of the department, said local farmers led his officials to a house where many fruit tree seedlings were stored near the Dan Singkhon border crossing bordering Myanmar. There were seedlings of durian, tamarind, longan, lime and rose apple. Officials found that a Thai man of Myanmar origin kept the seedlings and durian tree seedlings were brought from other areas because durian trees were not grown in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Officials suspect smuggling attempts because a vehicle without a licence plate was parked at the house and durian is among 11 reserved plants, the export of which is banned. The smuggling could result in other countries becoming the producers of original Thai fruits and competing with Thailand in global markets, Mr Suwit said. Smugglers of such reserved plants were liable to a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to 4,000 baht, he said. (TNA)