Undersea forest in the pipeline

The project is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity of PVC-makers Vinythai, a joint venture between Belgium’s Solvay Group, the Charoen Phokphand Group and PTT Global Chemical, and is being implemented in collaboration with a range of partners including the Rambhai Barni Rajabhat and the local community.

Princess Mathilde was warmly welcomed on her arrival at Chong Samaesarn by the Chon Buri Deputy Governor along with representatives of implementing partners the Royal Thai Navy, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and Vinythai’s management and staff.

Princess Mathilde visited an exhibition and was given an overview of the project by Vinythai’s Sompot Cheeranorawanich.

Initiated to commemorate the 80th birthday anniversary of HM the King in 2007 and in recognition of His Majesty’s grace and kindness, the project has set out to revive coral reefs in peril.

The coral is being farmed in five locations: Samet Island, Rayong (10,000 branches), Koh Wai, Trat (10,000 branches), Koh Kham, also in Trat, (10,000 branches), Koh Talu, Prachuap Khiri Khan and the Chong Samaesarn coastal area (40,000 branches).

Prasan Sangpaiboon, chairman of Marine Science Activity and Conservation Foundation, demonstrated how to cultivate coral using PVC pipe and invited the princess to try. 

Princess Mathilde’s coral was deposited in the sea off Samaesarn, near to the first coral farmed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 2008.

Before leaving the area, Princess Mathilde paid respect to Luang Pho Dum, a five-metre-high Buddha image in the subduing Mara posture enshrined in the sermon hall of Wat Chong Samaesarn Temple, and admired local products presented by members of the community.

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde were on a six-day visit to Thailand as the guests of Their Majesties the King and Queen.