Showing 11 - 20 of 21
Compromised solution won't win the day against forest encroachers
News, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 09/06/2013
» This month marks the two-year anniversary of the start of an unprecedented crackdown on forest encroachment by large resort developments in Thap Lan National Park. But after a series of spectacular raids led by park chief Taywin Meesap, some of them involving hundreds of rangers in night-time operations, the forest take-back operation has languished. The chief reason for this is the retirement of Damrong Pidech last year as head of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. Mr Damrong gave Mr Taywin his full backing.
Elephant slaughter: The gangs get bold
Spectrum, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 05/05/2013
» In early March, Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn was outraged to learn of another elephant killing in the area he oversees. A female elephant about 15 years old was discovered close to Krarang 3 Reservoir shot in the head and brutally axed, milk still flowing from her breast. Investigators reasoned that the elephant had a baby with her at the time of the killing.
When a ranger falls in the forest
Spectrum, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 31/03/2013
» On the evening of March 14 in the deep forest of Pang Sida National Park, a ranger was shot dead in an encounter with a group transporting illegally logged Siamese rosewood. At the same time in Bangkok 300km away, international conservationists were wrapping up a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), which gave greater protection to the tree which is rapidly disappearing from Thai forests.
Shots in the park threaten nation's endangered species
Spectrum, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 10/02/2013
» It was the shooting of the cat-sized krachong (mouse deer) that really made Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn angry. He and a team of park officials had just arrested a group of illegal hunters who had shot the krachong for sport, along with more than 100 rare giant Asian river frogs, in November of last year inside the park.
Strong deeds needed from new forest chief
News, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 30/12/2012
» The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation paints a grim picture of the state of the country's forests with its 2012 report, which estimates that in the last 50 years Thailand has lost 50% of its forest cover. The report says forests now account for only about one-third of the country's total area, or about 171,000 square kilometres and there are now only five provinces that have a forest cover of more than 70%. No wonder the foundation's secretary-general, Sasin Chaloemlap, says, ''We cannot afford to lose more forest and forest encroachment cannot be allowed and tolerated any more.''
A walk in the park: Business as usual at 'encroaching' resorts
Spectrum, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 30/12/2012
» oDwn a path leading into dense bush at Thap Lan National Park, Chaloem Jainok and her family are busy gathering wood for a New Year's Eve bonfire they're planning to hold at their resort, Ban Thong Kham. The resort has been fully booked since early this month, filling up with holiday revellers and those planning to see in the New Year here.
Two agencies diverged in a wood
Spectrum, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 26/08/2012
» Road 304 slices through Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khieo district running north by northeast, forming the unofficial boundary between the Phu Luang national forest reserve to the west and Thap Lan National Park to the east. Charges of forest encroachment are rampant throughout the area, but the fates of those deemed guilty are vastly different depending on which side of the road they lie.
Parks staff ready to swoop again
News, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 12/08/2012
» Officials at Thap Lan national park will continue to knock down resorts encroaching on the park once they have received approval from their head office.
Irresponsible farmers smoked out by study
News, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 01/04/2012
» The haze problem in the North is being worsened by the burning of forest areas to grow crops such as corn for ethanol production, researchers and local officials have said.
Officials concede they need a new approach for the reforestation plan
News, Piyaporn Wongruang, Published on 04/03/2012
» Government officials say they will need a drastic change in their approach to growing new forests for flood protection as many previous efforts failed because of corruption and lack of local input.