Two Cambodian brothers went before a court in Thailand yesterday accused of illegally crossing into the neighbouring country and selling wooden furniture without paying the required tax.

Huon Kruok, 28, and Huon Vet, 26, from Kampong Thom’s Baray district, were arrested on June 27 by authorities in Sa Kaeo province’s Ta Phraya district, where the pair were allegedly caught transporting four wooden beds on a makeshift motorised cart.

The authorities interviewed villagers, who said the pair had already sold the bulk of their timber haul when they were captured.

They were sent to Sa Kaeo Provincial Court yesterday and stood accused of illegally crossing into Thailand and transporting and selling timber products in Thailand illegally without paying tax.

Pin Chhang, a border communications official stationed at the Boeung Trakuon checkpoint, confirmed the reports.

He said his team intervened for the release of the two Cambodian men, but maintained that the Thai authorities refused.