Nonthaburi -- The Royal Forest Department, in collaboration with Ratch Group Public Company Limited, continues the ‘Love the Forest and Community’ Project for the 18th consecutive year, reinforcing the success of integrated cooperation among government, private sector, and community forest networks nationwide in conserving and restoring forest resources. This initiative addresses climate change and supports the country's carbon neutrality target and Net Zero emissions. This commitment is reflected in the success of Ban Chan Community Forest in Krasang district, Buriram province, which won the national community forest competition and received the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Trophy for 2025 for natural heritage conservation, advancing ecotourism management, and coordinating with strong forest conservation networks both within the community and across the Northeastern region. This prestigious award represents the community’s pride and serves as a morale boost in continuing to preserve the nation’s forest resources sustainably.
Mr. Nikorn Sirarotchananon, Director-General of the Royal Forest Department, said that the Royal Forest Department has given importance to the participation of the public and network partners to build cooperation in resource management together with the government sector. Under the concept of forest resource management in the form of community forests, which provides opportunities for people and communities to participate in forest care and conservation. At present, the Royal Forest Department has promoted the establishment of 12,985 community forests under the Community Forest Act B.E. 2562 (2019), with 14,593 participating villages, covering a total area of 7.07 million rai. The Royal Forest Department will expedite the expansion of community forest establishment nationwide to achieve the target of 15,000 community forests, enabling communities to participate in forest resource management in their areas.
Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, has issued a policy to drive and continue the carbon neutrality initiative, positioning Thailand as ASEAN's leader in reducing carbon dioxide emissions through integrated mechanisms and fostering participation across all sectors, including government, private sector, and civil society, notably, the involvement of community forest networks for the abundance of natural resources maintaining environmental balance and creating sustainable benefits. Community forests embody the mission of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in managing forest resources with multi-sector participation to help protect, preserve, and increase the country's forest areas, for the sustainable benefits of current and future generations. The Love the Forest and Community Project is an excellent example of private sector engagement, Ratch Group Public Company Limited collaborating with the government to support the public in conserving, restoring, and maintaining forest resources, while honoring and encouraging community forests with outstanding achievements that serve as models for others. It is a tremendous royal grace that HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has bestowed the award-winning trophy, proving immeasurable morale and encouragement for all involved parties.
Mr. Nitus Voraphonpiput, Chief Executive Officer of Ratch Group Public Company Limited, said that the ‘Love the Forest and Community’ Project is the company's flagship environmental and social initiative, which aligns with its core corporate mission to support carbon neutrality targets and Net Zero emissions. It is also a key component of the company's climate change management strategy in promoting tree planting and forest restoration to reduce environmental impacts, enhance the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide absorption capacity, and increase carbon sinks to help restore ecosystem balance and preserve the biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Since 2008, when the Love the Forest and Community Project was launched, it has supported the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 13, “Climate Action.” To date, the company has encouraged community participation in forest conservation through nationwide community forest competitions and activities, covering 1,786 communities with a total forest area of 1,620,176.77 rai. The forests maintained by these communities have become valuable sources of ecosystem services for both local communities and society, while serving as carbon dioxide storage sources that help mitigate global warming, storing approximately 10,207,113.65 tons of carbon (with an average forest carbon storage rate of about 6.3 tons per rai).
For the Love the Forest and Community Award competition in 2025, 16 communities received awards, with well-maintained forest areas totaling 24,088.08 rai, which can provide ecosystem services valued at approximately 2,161.59 million baht and store an estimated 151,754.90 tons of carbon.
The national community forest award-winner receiving the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Royal Trophy this year is Ban Chan Community Forest in Nong Teng subdistrict, Krasang district, Buriram province. It is regarded as a role model for forest resource management and balanced utilization, as well as for expanding forest conservation cooperation with surrounding networks, including youth groups, Ban Chan School, and Forest Protection Volunteers (Ror Sor Thor Por), Nong Teng Subdistrict Municipality and Chum Saeng Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Krasang district, Buriram province, and Ban Samet community forest network in Korkho subdistrict, Mueang district, Surin province, among others.
Over 18 years of operation, the Love the Forest and Community Project has created concrete results in environmental, economic, and social aspects, while inspiring widespread participation in natural resource conservation and honoring communities that are dedicated to maintaining forests sustainably.