The Karenni National People's Liberation Front (KNPLF), which signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military junta, seems to despatching timber to neighbouring Thailand from early this year, said a KNPLF source.

He said that "most timber is from the Nar Moo area in the east. It is learnt that they will carry timber but not all of it are brought from felling zones. I think that it will possibly start next month. Three trucks have arrived. Other trucks will come. I don't know where they will carry timber to. It has already been collected."

Most tumber, which are exported to foreign countries, will be produced in Huay Pulaung area which is the KNPLF's base. News from the Thai side suggest that the timber will be carried through Bang Nan Pali of BP 10 (Border Post) to Thailand.

A local from the Thai-Burma border said that "lots of timber which are felled by KNPLF, have been found. Some of them are raw rounded-wood and woodblocks."

It's learnt that the Thai Administrator of Mae Hong Song district and his company discussed and negotiated with Burmese Army's officials for despatching timber in early December of 2008.

A high ranking official from KNPP (Karenni National Progressive Party), which has been fighting the Burmese government for over 60 years and has not signed a ceasefire agreement with the junta, said that it is impossible to export wood from Huay Pulaung area but they can only sell it illegally.

The Htoo Trading Company is exporting this timber. The Htoo Trading Company is owned by U Tayza who and is known to be close to Snr Gen Than Shwe. The Htoo Trading Company which has a nexus with ceasefire groups has felled trees in Nang Phe, Phar Saung, and the east bank of Salween River in Karenni State for 10 years.