MANGROVE FORESTS RECLAIMED

A group of local conservationists, who call themselves White Shark Unit, helped police, civilian and military authorities to dig up palm plantations in Phang Nga illegally grown on a vast swathe of endangered mangrove swamp. A recent survey found that more than 40,000-rai of mangrove areas in Chanthaburi has been exploited, followed by another 12,000 rai in Nakhon Si Thammarat and 1,200 rai in Surat Thani.