Other indicators for legal timber trade of Thailand

Bans & quota

Thailand has placed a ban on the import and export of Dalbergia cochinchinensis (Siamese rosewood). Wood from this species is strictly prohibited from trade in accordance with Cabinet Resolution B.E.2551 on 11 November 2008.

Teak logs and Teak timber (excluding furniture) may only be exported by the Forest Industry Organization (FIO). The 1987 Royal Decree on Restricted Timber Species establishes that 158 species are to be classified as Type A and a further 13 as Type B. These 171

species (or groups of species) are not allowed to harvest from natural forests. On private lands it is allowed to plant and harvest these species, where they represent the majority of commercial timber species at the time.

CITES and protected species

Thailand is a party of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). All trade in CITES listed species is strictly regulated and must be accompanied by the Certificate of plantation registration where trade is permissible.

In cases where the species of wood is specified in Appendix ll of CITES, such wood and wood products must be granted Letter of export permission by the Department of Agriculture according to Plant Act B.E. 2518 (1975) before being exported.

National action on timber legality

Thailand has made considerable efforts to address illegal logging, a significant problem the country has struggled with since the 1960s. In 1989 the government introduced a complete ban on logging of natural forests.

In September 2013, Thailand and the European Union (EU) began the process to move towards negotiation of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) to promote trade in legal timber products and improve forest governance.

The EU and the Kingdom of Thailand held its third Negotiation Session on a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). The negotiation session took place virtually on 16 September 2020. Both sides aim to develop a system to assure the verification of the legality of timber and timber products produced, imported and exported by Thailand. The Agreement also promotes trade in legal timber products, improve forest governance, and contribute to combatting illegal logging in Thailand.

Significant progress has been made in the deliberation of the Annexes on the Thai Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) and Supply Chain Controls. Thailand is currently exploring different approaches and successful models to follow for the control of the supply chain of timber derived from private lands and the legality of timber imports. Once the issues in discussion are resolved and finalized, they will be incorporated into the Annexes of the VPA.