Conserving and Preserving Thailand's Environment

Students explore the ways in which a Thai community based organisation Yad Fon (Rain Drop Association) is working to preserve the environment and deliver other benefits to local people. 

Investigation

The following websites provide information about the activities of Yad Fon in relation to shrimp farming and mangrove conservation. In small groups, share the readings and then discuss your responses using the dot points below as discussion starters.

Local Thai Communities Rescue the Sea is an article from the National Wetlands Newsletter that provides a detailed outline of the environmental issues faced by coastal villagers in Thailand and the activities of Yad Fon.

Villagers in Thailand Protect Turtle Eggs explores the activities of villagers working at the behest of Yad Fon.

Cultural Survival provides a detailed outline of how Yad Fon operates and what the issues are.

Discussion Starters

• I was surprised to find out that…….
• The most interesting thing was …….
• I’d like to know more about …….
• I wonder if …….
• I don’t understand …….
• I was less interested in …….
• I didn’t know that …….
• Someone who would be interested in this would be ……. because …….
• This reminded me of …….

1. Take a close look at the article Local Thai Communities Rescue the Sea.  What are the major benefits for Thai coastal communities of conserving their mangroves?
2. The actions of Yad Fon deliver benefits to the villagers beyond provision of improved local environments.  Make a list of these.
3. The activities of Yad Fon could be described as capacity building. What does this term mean?
4.  What reasons are given for the success of Yad Fon?  Can you think of organisations that operate in Australia that work in similar ways to Yad Fon?
5. Hold a class forum on whether or not there should be a world boycott of farmed shrimp.