Thousands of logs and pieces of processed teak have been seized during a three-month crackdown in forests nationwide, during which the northern province of Phrae was found to be the most active for the illegal trade. Businessmen in Phrae were buying illegal logs from nearby Phayao and Lampang provinces, causing heavy deforestation along the border, said Wichai Lamwilai, of the Department of National Parks, Plant and Wildlife Conservation. Some areas of these provinces located within Mae Yom National Park had been declared wildlife refuges, he said. Officials impounded 4,781 logs and 15,851 pieces of teak after raids conducted during October and December. They also discovered 1.88 square kilometres of forest land had been destroyed by encroachment.