Identify those who destroy forests
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Who will profit from the Mae Wong Dam proposal, which will flood part of a protected national park, which also happens to be an integral part of Thailand's remaining western forest complex?
Certain nameless people have tried several times over the years to destroy parts of the largest system of protected rainforest left in mainland Southeast Asia. There was, for example, the Nam Chon Dam, first proposed in 1966 and finally abandoned in 1998. All credit to the Thai people that this important reserve of 17 protected areas covering 18,000 square kilometres along the border with Myanmar is still protected.
However, these nameless people seem determined to destroy parts of this important reserve, so let’s start asking the hard questions: Who will profit from flooding parts of this reserve? Who will move in and “remove” the valuable trees before the land is flooded?
Once we know these answers, we can see who is responsible for the continued onslaught against the Thai people’s natural heritage – the rainforest.
Can I suggest that, once we know which people want to destroy parts of this heritage site, they be transferred to another department where they can do no harm, or resign immediately and never again hold public office?
Sebastian Woods
Chiang Mai
