1990-2024
1990-1997
Establishing the Foundation to Continue the Legacy of Seub Nakhasathien in Huai Kha Khaeng Forest and Thung Yai Naresuan
The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation’s initial achievements following Seub’s passing included the establishment of the Seub Nakhasathien Memorial Building and a statue dedicated to him. This project involved coordinating fundraising efforts and was completed in 1993, costing over 3 million baht. Additionally, the foundation supported the provision of essential equipment for the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, such as a radio station for the western forest area (located near the Huai Yu Yi ranger station).
In the early years, the foundation engaged in activities with communities bordering Huai Kha Khaeng Forest, conducting training and environmental education activities, among other initiatives.
In addition, the foundation consistently allocated funds to support operations within the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as the Khao Nang Ram Wildlife Research Station and other conservation areas, with total funding amounting to nearly 6 million baht. It also initiated a fund to assist forest guardians, providing financial aid to personnel injured, disabled, or deceased while on duty—support that governmental agencies could not extend—along with scholarships for the families of those who had died, continuing until the children completed their education. This initiative has been ongoing and has benefitted over 200 individuals to date.
Furthermore, since its establishment, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation has engaged in activities with partner organizations and conservation networks, as well as conducted outreach activities to disseminate knowledge about forest and wildlife conservation. A significant aspect of this work has been collaborating with environmental organizations to promote the National Environmental Network Forum, which was the most important national environmental platform during that decade. The foundation has also supported research funding for various wildlife research projects. Since 1991, a key mission has been to organize events commemorating September 1st, Seub Nakhasathien Day, in various forms, as well as to hold annual merit-making ceremonies dedicated to the spirit of Seub Nakhasathien.
1998-2003
Expanding Operations into the Western Forest
Starting in 1998, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation shifted its policy from directly funding conservation operations to establishing the Western Forest Fund to support Seub Nakhasathien’s vision of preserving the Thung Yai and Huai Kha Khaeng forests while also protecting the surrounding woodlands.
The initial activities focused on fostering understanding and collaboration in conservation among the heads of conservation agencies, forest rangers, and local communities across the six provinces surrounding the forests.
Subsequently, in partnership with the Forest Department, the foundation developed a project for ecosystem-based management of the Western Forest, successfully securing long-term project support from Denmark. This led to systematic ecological data collection throughout the Western Forest, informing the concept of managing the area as a “Forest Complex” and facilitating ongoing training activities to enhance the capabilities of forest rangers working in the region.
Additionally, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation developed a project proposal to seek support from the Danish government for collaborative efforts in preserving the Western Forest under a participatory protected area management program. This included engaging with civil society in the six provinces surrounding the Western Forest and supporting local communities in conservation areas to live sustainably and in harmony with the protected areas.
Another notable achievement of the foundation is its advocacy against projects that could impact the forests, wildlife, natural resources, and community rights. Key projects the foundation opposed include the construction of the Thailand-Myanmar gas pipeline through the Thong Pha Phum forest, encroachment on Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, the Mae Wong Dam project in Mae Wong National Park, mining impacts around Thung Yai Naresuan, construction of housing in Huai Kha Khaeng, coastal power plant projects in the Bo Nok-Ban Kood area, potash mining projects, and the Underground Mining Act.
At the same time, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation continues to support financial aid for forest rangers from its ranger support fund, organizes environmental education programs for teachers, students, and surrounding communities of the Western Forest, and produces nature-related media and academic documents about the Western Forest for public dissemination.
Furthermore, the foundation regularly holds merit-making ceremonies and memorial activities for Seub Nakhasathien each year, aimed at promoting his ideas and commemorating the events of September 1st, including activities for the 10th anniversary of his passing, academic conferences, exhibitions, and full-scale musical performances.
2004-2015
A Period of Collaborative Work Amidst Intense Resource Threats
From 2004 to 2007 marked a significant turning point for the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, as its focus shifted from primarily supporting conservation areas and policy advocacy to engaging in fieldwork through the participatory protected area management project (known as the “Jom Pa” project) in community areas, supported by funding from the Danish DANIDA fund from 2004 to 2010. The foundation later sought continued support for the project from PTT Public Company Limited and Siam Commercial Bank, in collaboration with the Crown Property Bureau. The result of these efforts led to a participatory delineation of community land use boundaries involving 131 communities and forest rangers in the conservation areas. Community committees were established to help manage and restore natural resources based on mutual agreements between the protected areas and the communities. Regular patrols were conducted, and lifestyles friendly to the forest were promoted by establishing 34 model learning homes for community members and setting up 10 learning centers for study visits and training, significantly reducing conflicts and forest encroachment at the local level.
Currently, the activities undertaken have been recognized at the policy level as a model for community management in conservation areas. A total of 154 communities located adjacent to the forest have collaborated with the Forest Department to establish community forests, allowing for community participation in management under the concept of “Restoring Forests, Sustaining Communities.” This initiative acts as a human barrier to monitor and protect resources at the local level, effectively preventing and reducing resource use in the larger forest area through the project titled “30 Community Forests, Healing All Ills,” around the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. The initiative later expanded to 64 community forests in 2007 and further extended to encompass all 154 communities in the Western Forest in 2010.
Under the “Jom Pa” project, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation facilitated the establishment of a civil society working process among professionals interested in conserving the Western Forest, in collaboration with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, under the name “Western Forest Conservation Committee (KOT).” Between 2004 and 2006, this committee undertook various activities with the foundation to protect the natural resources of the Western Forest, such as preventing the construction of the Klong Lan-Umpang road, requesting the cancellation of road construction through Thung Yai Naresuan, opposing the Mae Wong Dam project, and coordinating resource management efforts with several communities. Subsequently, this committee united to establish the Western Forest Conservation Network Foundation (MOT) and became a significant partner working alongside the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation.
In addition to collaborating with civil society and communities as mentioned, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation also maintains regular networks with conservation organizations. Key activities include participating in the national environmental forum working group in 2004 and 2005, organizing seminars on environmental impacts from provincial development strategies, discussing the motorway through the Gulf of Thailand, and holding environmental room seminars on themes of peaceful living at the National Health Assembly, among others.
Outside the Western Forest area, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation has initiated a project to conserve the genetics and habitat of the Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), which is currently endangered in Thailand, specifically on Koh Phra Thong in Phang Nga since 2003. This effort has led to the designation of Koh Phra Thong as a wildlife sanctuary “Moo Koh Ra – Koh Phra Thong” where the community has reached a mutual agreement to preserve the area as a habitat for this species.
However, in recent years, numerous government and private development projects have emerged that significantly impact the Western Forest. The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation has played a crucial role in monitoring these projects, including the construction of a road through the Klong Lan-Umpang forest, a route intersecting Thung Yai Naresuan from Sangkhla Buri to Umpang, the tunneling project for water diversion from Srinakarin Dam to Uthai Thani through the Srinakarin National Park and Phu Toei National Park, and the renewal of the forest area usage license for the Moniko mine, which requires a route for transporting minerals through Thung Yai Naresuan. They also protested against the conversion of the Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary near the Thi Lo Su waterfall to a national park and opposed the draft legislation for national parks and wildlife sanctuaries proposed by the previous government, which included provisions for leasing forest land for tourism and opening Thailand to wildlife trade. Subsequently, the foundation participated in drafting both bills and was involved as a committee member, leading to the enactment of the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act and the National Park Act on May 29, 2019.
Additionally, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation opposed the construction of a road through Kaeng Krung National Park and the Klong Yan Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as the Mae Wong Dam project in Mae Wong National Park. Following the major flooding in 2011, the Mae Wong Dam project was revived under a resolution by the government of Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra as part of the “Water Management System and Future Development Program” in 2012. This prompted a 388-kilometer march led by Assoc. Prof. Sasin Chalermlarp and tens of thousands of citizens protesting the consideration of the Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) for the dam construction project by the expert committee. The review process was subsequently halted, and an academic committee was established to study engineering, economic, and wildlife information, all of which aligned in concluding that the EHIA had shortcomings and that the construction project should be terminated. Presently, the alternative water management proposals put forth by the foundation and its networks during the EHIA opposition have been developed and implemented in the area by local authorities. Later, on October 3, 2017, the Royal Irrigation Department withdrew the EHIA from the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning.
Furthermore, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, in collaboration with its networks, has opposed activities and policies that adversely affect the country’s natural resources, such as the Pak Bara deep-sea port project and the coal-fired power plant project in Krabi, among others. This period has seen the most significant and severe impact on conservation efforts for forests and wildlife, alongside a notable reduction in the operational role of natural resource conservation organizations due to various factors.
In recent welfare events for forest guardians, ongoing financial support has been provided to the injured, the families of the deceased, and educational funds for children of fallen guardians. Notably, in 2015, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, in collaboration with TV Burapha Co., Ltd., implemented a project for forest guardians to raise awareness of the work of forest rangers and sought support, successfully garnering over 2 million baht for the forest guardian fund through both publicity and budget support.
For the annual commemoration on September 1st, a variety of activities are organized to honor the occasion. At Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, public education campaigns draw between 500 and 1,000 attendees. Additionally, religious ceremonies are held to pay respects to the spirit of Siew Phakdee. In urban areas, exhibitions and musical performances take place. The “From Forest to City” event at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre highlights stories from the Western Forest, conservation efforts in Thailand, and the current state of the country’s forests, engaging urban residents in these important discussions. This event attracts over 5,000 participants each year, fostering greater support for conservation initiatives.
The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation’s social network efforts have continuously evolved, especially since the major flooding in 2011 when Assoc. Prof. Sasin Chalermlarp, the environmental activist, used social media to disseminate news and information, leading to public recognition of the foundation’s media and establishing it as a key player in communicating conservation efforts effectively across the nation.
Currently, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation uses its website as the primary communication channel, with Facebook facilitating rapid news dissemination and public interaction, while Instagram and Twitter serve as alternative social media platforms.
2016-2019
From Concrete Actions to Policy Advocacy
The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation continued to monitor and support alternative water management by collaborating with the Lad Yao Subdistrict Administrative Organization, which received funding from the government through the Water Development Foundation for project implementation in the area. The foundation studied the impacts of the developed alternative water management systems, signaling a long-term follow-up effort. This indicates that future water management strategies will be diverse and adaptable to the specific contexts of different areas across the country. However, continuous monitoring of activities and policies that may affect forests and wildlife remains crucial. The foundation began opposing the expansion of Route 12, which passes through Nam Nao National Park, and the construction of the Klong Lan to Umphang road. Assoc. Prof. Sasin Chalermlarp took part in the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Committee as well as the National Park Committee, playing an essential role in overseeing and monitoring projects proposed in conservation areas.
On February 3, 2018, a high-profile incident occurred when a well-known figure in society shot a black leopard within the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary on the western side. This led to his arrest and prosecution by Chief Vichien Chinwong and the forest protection team. The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation played a crucial role in disseminating information and monitoring the legal proceedings, which became a significant phenomenon that garnered public attention. Together, the community applied social pressure alongside legal measures. Currently, the Appeals Court has upheld the lower court’s ruling and increased the penalties for the act of poaching wildlife.
For the operations in the western forest, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation collaborated with the Department of Forestry and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to implement a conservation development project in the western forest area. This aimed to improve work in national reserved forest areas by creating management data using district boundaries for administrative purposes, with station heads appointed to oversee each area. For the conservation forest areas adjacent to national reserve forests, a proposal was made to integrate them with conservation regions. The Department of National Parks has been able to address issues relating to the establishment of community use zones within protected forest areas across the country and promote the use of a qualitative patrolling system for the protection and maintenance of forest areas managed by the department nationwide. Importantly, the concrete solutions to community problems in the forests have contributed to the revisions of the Wildlife Reserve and Protection Act and the National Parks Act, which were officially enacted on May 29, 2019.
The operations in the area of conservation communication have successfully established an effective communication system for disseminating information to the public, earning recognition as one of the leading environmental media outlets in the country. The fundraising efforts and support for various activities of the foundation have continued consistently, providing a stable foundation for the organization to advance its conservation work in the future.
2020-2024
The New Normal Era Amid Pressures on Forest Land Use
During this period, hundreds of government projects placed pressure on forest land usage, while work systems and communications shifted increasingly towards online platforms.
The late 2019 outbreak of COVID-19 affected every country worldwide, claiming millions of lives globally. This led to intense preventive measures, including country lockdowns and flight suspensions. People were required to stay at home, resulting in economic downturn and widespread unemployment. Thailand experienced similar impacts and implemented comparable disease prevention measures to those seen internationally.
In 2023, the 30th anniversary of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation took place during a severe COVID-19 outbreak. The foundation adapted its working methods, allowing staff to work from home and modifying the commemoration events to align with the New Normal. Government agencies restricted external participants from attending the candlelight memorial for Sueb Nakhasathien at the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani Province. The urban activities of the foundation were adjusted to maintain social distancing, utilizing an online candle-lighting event while sharing stories of Sueb Nakhasathien’s legacy and ongoing commitment over the past 30 years, framed through the interplay of light and shadow.
In 2021, like the rest of the world, Thailand remained in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 31st anniversary commemoration for Sueb Nakhasathien was held online.
By 2022, government measures to prevent the spread of the virus began to relax, allowing for the resumption of in-person memorial events at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
The Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation continued to closely monitor projects impacting forests and wildlife. During this period, although no major deforestation incidents or large-scale poaching had occurred that might deeply concern the nation, there was nonetheless a push for nearly 100 water reservoir construction projects within conservation areas. While many of these projects were still in the stages of seeking approval or conducting environmental impact assessments, they reflected a development direction that was not favorable for the future of Thailand’s forests and the global environmental situation.
In addition to the water reservoir projects in forests, initiatives that had previously been fought against and ultimately shelved years ago are being revived, posing new threats to the forest, such as the expansion of Highway 12 through the Nam Nao National Park and the Phu Kradueng cable car project.
A new focus in the foundation’s work over the past four years has been Species-Based Conservation, which targets six key wildlife species: the rock pigeon, wild elephant, sambar deer, the Soi fish, tiger, and the white-shouldered ibis. This represents a significant challenge for the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation as it seeks to protect these important species by advocating for wildlife management plans at both local and national levels. The foundation is collaborating with various conservation organizations to promote the protection of significant species from protected wildlife status to that of conserved wildlife, while also encouraging public participation, for example, in efforts related to the rock pigeon.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the communication team of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation played a vital role in driving the organization’s efforts by presenting work updates and educational activities online, facilitating academic communication, and fostering public engagement through programs like “Sueb Wildlife.”
The foundation’s website maintained its standards with over 1,000,000 visits per year, resulting in high visibility in Google searches related to environmental topics. It consistently appeared among the top results for diverse queries, including climate change, forest areas, alien species, and various wildlife species. The content developed alongside academic information (in collaboration with the academic department) reached the public, while various social media platforms were created for easier access, including Facebook (315,560 followers), YouTube (21,300 subscribers), Instagram (5,321 followers), and Twitter (16,112 followers). Additionally, communication expanded through a podcast available on streaming platforms like Spotify, and the foundation developed an E-BOOK system that meets established standards.
In terms of fundraising, the foundation has developed both offline and online channels to reach a wider donor base. Furthermore, monthly micro-fundraising campaigns have been implemented in line with contemporary social trends, focusing on social media promotions, which have received a very positive response.
Over the course of four years, the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation has worked on forest guardian initiatives by communicating, coordinating, and connecting through networks involving both public and private organizations. This work aims to support the welfare and well-being of forest guardians, promote fair and clear compensation policies, and provide essential equipment for their duties. Additionally, the foundation focuses on improving ranger stations and staff accommodations to ensure they are comfortable and suitable for use.
In light of significant changes regarding the exploration of agricultural land and housing for communities within conservation areas under the National Parks Act and the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act of 2019, the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation continues to pursue its activities with a key goal: to promote the Western forest as a standard and as a natural World Heritage site. This effort involves establishing standards for both people and conservation areas, with eight pilot areas serving as models to drive the management plan for 20 million rai of Western forest.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the souvenir team had to adapt their work model to effectively conduct online sales. They developed backend processes to support online orders across all systems and created risk management plans. A pre-order system was initiated to reduce excess inventory, and buyer demand was surveyed to design products that meet customer needs. Additionally, an AI Chatbot system was introduced to engage with customers outside of business hours.
