30 MAI TABEK 
therefore cheap and in considerable demand. 
Excellent planks may be sawn from Mai Tabek, 
even for permanent buildings, but it does not stand mois- 
ture or the extreme heat of the sun and is liable to attacks 
by insects. If used for permanent work it should be 
seasoned and painted intime. Then it will last 20 years 
or longer provided that some attention is paid to the 
attacks of insects. Unless the wood is perfectly dry the 
amount of shrinkage will be considerable. It seasons well. 
Tabek logs are being rafted down to Bangkok in 
large quantities, much is sawn in native sawing sheds 
along the Menam. Extensive forestsare on the east coast, 
in the district of Saraburi, along the MePing. As fuel it 
can hardly be surpassed. Thousands of these trees along the 
Korat Railway have been felled and split into firewood. 
It is easy to split, has a high heating quality and leaves 
little ash when burnt. 
Tabek is, amongst some other woods, very sui- 
table to replace the so-called “Singapore wood.” There is 
stillan import of foreign woods into Siam, chiefly Singa- 
