Respect for the rangers

More than 2,000 fleet-footed folks were up before dawn last Sunday to participate in the 5km and 10km Run for Heroes in Bangkok’s Lumpini Park, the second charity activity of the SCG Foundation’s “Hands for Heroes” project following “Paint for Heroes”, held earlier this year.
“The project aims to purchase patrol equipment for forest rangers such as combat boots, jungle hammocks, raincoats and dried food,” said Kajohndet Sangsuban, the foundation’s executive director. 

 

“We’ve had the ‘Sharing the Dream’ scholarship programme since 2015, which has helped 366 children of forest rangers get through school. It’s our way of expressing our heartfelt gratitude to those who risk their lives in tending to Thailand’s natural resources. It gives them reassurance that they needn’t worry about covering all their family’s costs. 
“The SCG Foundation will strive to expand this support to boost their morale for many years to come. Fortunately, there are many groups helping this project, so there’ll be a ‘Hands for Heroes’ every year.”

 

Among the showoffs last weekend was a team of marathon runners from the “Kao Kon La Kao” (“Take One Step Each”) campaign.
The national badminton team and the youth team from the SCG Badminton Academy were represented. Wildlife veterinarian Dr Pattarapol “Lotter” Maneeorn came out, as did celebrities Kongkapan “Noom” Sangsuriya, Watcharaboon “Note” Leesuwan, Suthipong “Check” Thammawut, Thipdhida Satdhathip, Surawut Maikun, Saroot “Big” Wichitranon, Jinna “Jin” Navarat, Jayda Saranya, Oat Surasak, Phiphat “Arm” Withayapanyanon, Patcharin “Namfon” Srivasupirom and Winai “Mek” Kraibutr.
The Tublan Ranger Band played forest-theme songs like “Phoo Pitak Pa” (“For Our Heroes”).

 

Actor-TV host Noom Kongkapan said he’d seen the rangers in action while making documentaries about Thai forests and the people who protect them. 
“I know that working and living in the forest is not easy. One forest ranger has to take care of a vast area and he risks his life in many ways. There are among natural disasters, wild animals, wildlife poachers and illegal loggers. And they do their jobs without expectation of fame or glory. 

 

“So I think it’s important to send them positive energy and boost their morale so they don’t have to worry about the families they’re forced to live apart from.”
There was also a “Father-Child, Save the Forest” costume contest and participants and spectators were encouraged to join the “Hands for Heroes” Facebook page and share photos there of the run. 

 

“Hands for Heroes” has to date raised more than Bt1.7 million to purchase patrol equipment. Among many other items, they’ve bought 522 hammocks equipped with bug nets and waterproof clothing for rangers working for the Wildlife Conservation Bureau, Office of National Parks and Forest Protection and Fire Control Office. 
“We don’t have enough equipment, but one thing that we never lack is encouragement,” said Thanya Netithammakun, director general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. 

 

“Not all rangers survive in the forest. Some have left their wives and children behind permanently. But from now on, thanks to the SCG Foundation, the rangers won’t have to deal with anxiety about their families’ future because the support is available.”  
Thanya said the department’s annual budget was insufficient to buy all the equipment that Thailand’s 30,000 forest rangers need as they protect more than 70 million rai of woodland. 
“We are attempting to decrease forest incursions by poor villagers and capitalists and get many forest areas back under public protection. Then we can join with groups like the SCG Foundation to restore the forests.

 

“We have the modern technology to help protect the forests – hardwired GPS trackers installed in trees and network-centric anti-poaching cameras guarding against loggers. But the illegal activity continues because the punishment isn’t harsh enough to deter them, so we’re planning to revise the National Parks Act and Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act.”
Up next for the SCG Foundation is the “Songs for Heroes” concert to be held at the KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha Centre of Performing Arts in Siam Square One on November 17. 
Paiboonkiat “Pun“ Kiewkaew, Su “Jui” Boonlieng and Sumate & the Pang will perform, as will the forest ranger band. Seats cost Bt1,000 to Bt2,000 at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com and (02) 262 3456.
Hands for Heroes T-shirts are on sale in many places and donations are welcome via the SCB Bank account “Hands for Heroes by SCG Foundation” (468-0-71691-0). 
Find out more at www.Facebook.com/handsforheroes.