![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
![Cheers :cheers:](./images/smilies/icon_cheers.gif)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crimes/ ... mes-stolen
Man claims B300,000 of limes stolen
Published: 28/03/2012 at 01:55 AM
Newspaper section: News
A man has filed a police complaint claiming limes worth 300,000 baht have been stolen from his orchard in Phu Phiang district in Nan province.
Pairoj Srithep told police there was evidence of limes having been picked from the trees in his 40-rai orchard.
Ripe limes which had fallen to the ground were also missing.
Mr Pairoj said he regularly goes to his orchard to spray fertiliser on the trees and pick the fruit. But on the last visit he discovered most of the limes were gone.
He estimated the value of the missing limes at 300,000 baht. The price of lime has surged in recent months, retailing at between 6-10 baht apiece, up from about one baht each.
Local authorities said owners of lamyai orchards in the province have begun employing security guards to watch their orchards and prevent the theft of their lamyai, which are expected to fetch high prices this year.
It has been reported some vegetable vendors have now stopped selling limes because of the steep prices.
The Commerce Ministry has said limes have become expensive partly because some traders and middlemen have hoarded the fruit to drive prices higher than usual during the summer when supplies are short.
The ministry vowed to take action against hoarders, who could face a maximum of seven years in jail.