At least eight Cambodians have been arrested by Thai authorities so far this year for allegedly crossing the border through Oddar Meanchey province to log rosewood.

Voek Pisei, O’Khla Khmum village chief in Samrong district’s O’Smach commune, told The Post on Thursday that early last month, one villager identified as Roeun Sela was detained by Thai border guards for smuggling luxury wood from Thailand.

An O’Smach commune-based border communication officer who wished to remain anonymous said that on February 9, two Cambodians were also detained by Thai authorities near border posts 13 and 14 while trying to sneak across the Thai border to log wood.

The duo was identified as 36-year-old Thy Lin and 28-year-old Rorn Sarum, both from Kampong Cham province’s Chamkar Leu district.

“According to Thai border police, the two were sent to court in Thailand’s Surin province. They were charged with illegal border crossing and illegal logging in a protected area and have been placed in pre-trial detention,” he said, adding that illegal crossing is continuing despite the deployment of more security forces along the border.