WESTERN FOREST CONSERVATION CLUB
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Attempt to Stop
New Road Cut in Thungyai Naresuan
January 1, 2004

            It was occurred during the New Year coming of 2004, from December 31st, 2003 to January 1st, 2004. During my Ancient Cycads Survey project, together with Mr. Monthon Mapreeda (Koh) and some Thungyai Naresuan Officers leaded by Mr. Mana, we were reported that there is a new road cut project for off-road truck in Thungyai. The distance was MaeJun Village – TiKru Stream – JaKae Village. The news made me terribly anxious, and stayed awake that night. However, I finally force myself to fall asleep because of the temperature’s minimization to 2 Celsius after midnight of the coming New Year.

            After the Survey Project completed, we, by WFCC truck driven By Ko, headed hurriedly to JaKae Wildlife Station by that evening. I decided to stay at Sesawo Wildlife station for a night after sunset.

            In the following morning of January 2nd, 2004, we continued our way immediately after breakfast. We reached Hin-Tang Hill Temple of JaKae Village at about 10.00 am. I paid respect to teacher Kong, the abbot, and discussed about the new road cut project which JaKae Villagers were hired for, and paid by 15 kg milled rice each per day. I remarked about the damages and negative effects from the project that, it will cause unexpectedly disaster to this Natural World Heritage of Thungyai Naresuan. Also, it would effect to Karen’s traditions & lifestyles which has been related to the forest for over the century. Whenever the new road finished is when the permanent damage of biodiversity in Thungyai Naresuan begun. Thungyai would be continuously harmed by many illegal activities more and more, supported by the road, and difficult to protect. Also, it would be the beginning of the permanent degeneration of Karen Tribe’s original traditions & lifestyle because of the civilization which is, absolutely, derived by the road. It was clear that the appealed wage of rice which will someday used out, is critically not worth for all the values we are going to forever lose. I asked for his help to instruct the villagers to perceive this unseen disaster which was coming closer following the extending distance of the road they cut in each single day. Some of the hired villager aware the disaster, some didn’t. Some of them willing to do, as well as some do not. Some of the villagers may be appealed by amazing civilization the employer advertised or by other beautiful reasons without mentioning to any following damage to the nature and forest they stay with. Some of the villagers realize the damages, and wanted to keep their original self-sufficient lifestyle that rely on nature which was descended from their ancestors, however, they were forced to attend the project because there is no way out.

            After separated from teacher Kong, the abbot, I visit Dr. Phong’s home. Dr. Phong was born in Bangkok, but had been devoted himself to supply remedies for these far away villagers from Jakae, Tilaipa, and other villages if they request. I discussed with him, who was the idea leader of villagers, about the new road cut topic, and ask him as a supporter to change villagers’ idea. Dr. Phong accepted to help since he also realized this threat. After that, I traveled to discuss with another person who also played roles as the idea leader of the community. His name is TaiZa, an ex-communist during the political changing period in Thailand. TairongZa, at that time the current headman of the village, together with UmPai, at that time the assistant of the village headman, and LaoKao, the ex-headman of Mae-junta Village, are his partners in the same period, and same political criteria. All his friends were old men and played important roles in the village. TaiZa informed me in details about the employer, and the disapproval of some of the villagers. He confirmed that, for himself, he was critically disapproved with the project. But because most the villagers agreed to proceed, the lesser group of disapproval needed to keep silent, respected to the Karen Tribe’s custom. Over a month the project begun, the road then was cut to approach TiKru Stream, which means a half of the distance was done.

            I left my intention for TaiZa to continue, and asked him to expand my attitude to Ti-Rong-Za who was not there at that time. Ko and I left JaKae Village that evening. Along the way we drove pass villagers’ home, only children played outside together without any adult appeared. They were gone for the construction. I thought of many familiar faces of JaKae Villagers during many times of happiness I had spent with them over the decades. I hope this disastrous crisis will be soon terminated. And they can survive their original valuable tradition & lifestyle which was one of a very few primitive culture exists nowadays, from outside civilization. I know, its charm always impresses outsider every time they visit.

            I fall asleep during the way back because of stress and tired. I wake up when we approached Sesawo Wildlife Station and the sun gone behind the riff at Thung-Krating, which means the field of guars. The sky turned red, seemed powerful. I told Ko that I had done what I should. Then, whatever the result is, I’ll let it be. Ko and I stayed at Sesawo for another night. After dinner, I went to bed earlier because of weariness and cold.

            I woke up quite early, interrupted by the voice from morning news report on radio uncle Zerh had turn on. I got out of bed to boiled water for morning coffee beside bonfire in the kitchen. After breakfast, I headed to WFCC office in Nakhonpathom.

            January 5th,2005 (2004??) , I called to discuss with Mr. Paiboon, at that time the chief in command of Thungyai Naresuan, about the new road cut project. He informed that he was previously reported and already ordered the assistant chief in command and some officers to stop the project since the day I left Thungyai. I was very relieved but still worried about their attempt to continue. However, Mr. Paiboon assured he had reiterated his order to protect the area and increase patrol.

            Although the project was stopped, they may not give up their intention and may some day restart the project by another form or method. To keep an eye on it can be a temporary solving. But to publicize about disaster which derives from the road including to emphasize the uncountable value of bio-diversity and the sensitive ecological system to all living things also to the villagers themselves who live upon the existence of forest, will be the permanent effective solving. These will help them realize their roles and duties to protect the forest they share their lives with and do not want any natural disaster occurs to their lives or their kinship like what happened at Piboon, Lansaka, Namkor, NamErr, NamChun, Juntaboon, and somewhere else. For at last, the result of their protection will award to their own kinship and next generation.

Surin / reoorted
Jan. 7 , 2004
Translated by Nutthinee Jerachasilp
 

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