H.E. Mr. Warawut Silpa-Archa, the Minister of MNRE, opened the ceremony of the National Wildlife Protection Day, 26 December 2019, “Wildlife Conservation, balance the world” at Bueng Chawark Non-hunting Area, Suphanburi Province.  

H.E. Mr. Warawut Silpa-Archa, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, presided over the opening ceremony the National Wildlife Protection Day, the year 2019, under the concept of “Wildlife Conservation, Maintain the Would Balance.” Moreover, Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, together with the chief executives, government officers, officers, public, and youth in the area joined the activities at the Development of Wildlife Management Center at Bueng Chawark, Bueng Chawark Non-hunting Area, Doem Bang Nang Buat District, Suphanburi Province.  

H.E. Mr. Warawut Silpa-Archa, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, demonstrated the origin of National Wildlife Protection Day. Wildlife protection in Thailand Started in the year 1990 with the enforcement of the Wild Elephant Act year 1990 to control wild hunting elephants. Later on, 26 December 1960, Her majesty Srinagarindra the greatest King’s mother, with her highness kindness, signed in the name of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the enactment of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act B.E. 2503 (1960). After that, it can be considered that the conservation of wildlife in Thailand has taken concrete and seriously until 1968. The government announced that 26 December of every year is “The National Wildlife Protection Day.”    

Nevertheless, there are still problems with wildlife in various areas such as wildlife hunting problem. This problem creates declining in wildlife or becomes extinct. There are also problems of conflict between humans and wildlife such as wild elephants, monkeys, water monitors, python, etc. Wildlife trafficking is also a significant problem. Department of National Park, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, coordinates with several related agencies to continuously solve problems between humans and wildlife. Several solutions include using technology to monitor wild elephant with early warning system at Kui Buri National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, establishing an illegal wildlife trade working group, preparatory meeting for public zoo operators, creating knowledge and awareness for the public and staff under the Act (Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act, B.E. 2562), as well as a campaign to reduce and stop using plastic/foam to reduce wastes that can harm wildlife and natural resources. All these things need cooperation from several sectors in management for wildlife in Thailand, which is considered to be indicators of an abundance of natural resources in the country. There must be wildlife together with natural resources continually.

Regarding the Natural Wildlife Protection Day year 2019, under the concept of “Wildlife Conservation, Maintain the Would Balance” was organized to honor Her majesty Srinagarindra the greatest King’s mother and to support, promote, and campaign to develop participatory in wildlife conservation from all sectors including government sectors, private sector, community foundation, community, as well as youth and citizens to realize the importance of wildlife. This event was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, from 26 – 29 December 2019 at Bueng Chawak Wildlife Management Development Center, Bueng Chawak Non-hunting Area, Doem Bang Nang Buat District, Suphan Buri Province. 

The activities in this event include the exhibition honoring Her majesty Srinagarindra, activities, and exhibitions focusing on digital technology such as the National Wildlife Protection Day, solving problems, and reducing conflicts between people and wildlife to live together. There is an interesting example case to solve the problem of increasing the python population, creating issues for people. Wildlife Conservation Division, the Department of National Parks, has a continuous system procedure to solve that problem. Additionally, there is also the procedure to solve the problem of Water Monitor involving catching, caring, educating people to know how to do when they found Water Monitor. There are also creating awareness and understanding with the public on the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act, B.E. 2562, understanding the effect of waste to wildlife. In this event, there is a panel talking about “The Future of Thai Wildlife.” Panelists include Khun Saengduan Chailert, Elephant and Environment Conservation Foundation, Khun Sasin Chalermlab, Secretary-General of Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, Dr. Boriphat Siriarurat, a veterinary, Khun Benjasiri Wattana, an actor, moderated by Mr. Sompot Maneerat, Spokesperson of the Department of National Parks. There are also the service activities in the Bueng Chawak Non-hunting Area and ten stores from One Tambon One Product (OTOP).