WESTERN FOREST CONSERVATION CLUB
151/11-12 Rajavidhi Rd., Prapathomchedi , Muang , Nakhon Pathom ,Thailand 73000

Radio Network Communication Renovation at
Klong Sa Lao Radio Center
Klong Sa Lao Wildlife Protection Station
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
December 23, 2005

                 December 23, 2005 at 2:30 pm, WFCC radio communication technician, Mr. Supachai, started his way to continue radio communication system improvement project at Klong Sa-Lao Wildlife Checkpoint, Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary which has been started since July 2005. Unlike Thungyai Naresuan, the way to Huai Kha Khaeng is not so tough. Approaching Baan Rai district, cloud above mountain range scattered, declaring cool weather outside of the coming winter.

                 Road condition had changed as we passed Baan Rai District and aslope mountain range. The gravel lane was wide enough for two-way running. The roadside surrounded by crops field, alternated by sole forest areas. Large tree was hardly ever seen around here. Next to Angwa village is the division of military soldier. Beside the checkpoint was the shrine of Sua guardian spirit. However, we can not stop to pay respect, hurriedly headed to our destination because it was nearly night time. We reached New Angwa village after the sunset. Mr. Supachai drove across Huai Angwa, the little stream with running water for whole year. Then, turned to the direction of Bann Tai Intersection. The truck ran along mountain rage through the darkness until reached the next intersection to Mae Dee Wildlife Checkpoint, we turned left to Baan Klong Salao and turned right uphill to reach our destination at nearly 8:00 pm. There, Mr. Boonnark Bumrungpetch; the section leader of Huai Kha Khaengaeng, Mr. Tor-khate Pechchana, Mr. Nirut Suphawara, Mr Narong Sengnongban, and Ms. Pranee Kate-On; Huai Kha Khaeng officers was waiting.

                 After dinner, WFCC officer described work schedule of the next day, and emphasized the important of security during the mission. Moreover, Huai Kha Khaeng officers were reminded about the important of each responsibility through the project which, from now on, will has been taken for year. And the completion will be reached only base on effective cooperation, unity, dedication, and devotion from every officer who was selected to take responsibility in this project. The weather was getting cold during the discussion, Mr. Chai, the technician, go the get his jacket. Mr. Suthin and Mr. Phol, Klong Sa-Lao Checkpoint Officers, prepared the baked glutinous rice in bamboo cylinder for us. The hot baked rice tasted good and proper to the cold weather that time. Then, we separated to each tent under the starry dark sky on the top hill.

                 It was 6:00 am of December 24, 2005, the Christmas Eve. The morning sunshine revealed mountain range which states across southern part of Huai Kha Khaeng. All the participant got out of their tent to surround the boiled water pot which Ms. Pranee, the lady cook of Titae Kitchen of Huai Kha Khaeng had prepared at radio station. Instant coffee and Chinese tea was poured into each cup. The morning hot drinks help the cold weather relieved. Mr. Chai began his work as soon as his breakfast finished. Mr. Narong and Mr. Niruth began getting use to our equipment, started from safety belt which is the most important thing to their security during the high top mission, besides their own consciousness, concentration, and strength.

                 Then, an 8 stacks dipole was unloaded from the truck. A cable was connected and adjusted to its proper position. All the process was under instruction of Mr. Chai. The two officers learnt very fast since they both have basic knowledge and experience on this field. Especially Mr. Ruth who just occupied as Huai Kha Khaeng officer at Sub Fah Pha Wildlife Checkpoint for 4 days. Mr. Ruth was previously an antenna technician of his hometown, and Mr. Narong has experienced on climbing radio post at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. It was Huai Kha Khang’s fortune of having the experienced manpower, different from Thungyai Naresuan where Mr. Amnart Funfua, the radio antenna technician of Thungyai, needed to start from nothing.

                 When the dipole was ready to be installed, Mr. Ruth firstly climbed up on the 45 meter guy wire post to remove the old damaged antenna. We were much relieved since he climbed proficiently that we could rely on and foresee the easier task dealing with this effective officer during the further two years project. He took only 20 minutes to finish pulley installation, fastening rope tip to antenna and unlock antenna from the radio post.

                 To take warm temperature, after Mr. Ruth climbed down, all of us joined breakfast on grass field in front of the radio post. Our breakfast composed of the re-cook curry left last night. Even the overnight food, we had deliciously since we were all easy-going lifestyles.

                 After breakfast, the next stage of antenna installation started. Mr. Supachai checked position and location of other radio stations in Huai Kha Khaeng. Then, Mr. Ruth and Mr. Narong climbed up the post. Even much stouter, Mr. Narong climbed dexterously not less than Mr. Ruth. After the two climbers saved themselves to the post, the rest staffs dragged up the new 12 meter dipole antenna to be installed on the top of radio post.

                 Because of its heavy weight, the dipole required 3 staffs to be dragged up. When reached its position, Mr. Ruth and Mr. Narong tightened it firmly to the post. After the pulley was released down onto the ground, the cable was fastened neatly from its connector, and along down the post as the two climbers climbed down. It took professional time of only 40 minutes through the mission.

                 After connected cable to the radio station, the cable line was cut to its appropriate length. Then the cable joint was welded and its head was connected to SWR in order to test power also the function of cable and antenna. After all equipment was checked to its standard, Mr.Narong and Mr. Torkhate tested receiver and transmitter with other radio stations and checkpoints nearby and then made record. Receiver was in its good condition; its signal efficiency reached Huai Kha Khaeng’s main office. However, because of its low power of only 10 Watt, transmitter could not deliver signal to other far stations. Therefore, WFCC suggested Huai Kha Khaeng to raise the radio efficiency to be 60 Watt, and they agreed.

                 10:30 am. was time to leave. Huai Kha Khaeng officers started their way back to location. WFCC leaved after Mr. Supachai cleared work site and loaded equipment. Something what we took back were photos during the mission to memorize our mission, and our pride of its success which was another step of the two years project of radio communication improvement at Huai Kha Khaeng.

                 During the way across Angwa stream, we found some villager fetched sand from stream shore in order to concrete their house. They informed us about stream direction that flows to Maedee stream. It was clear that the population in Bangkok metropolis also relies on Angwa stream because Maedee stream flow direction is to Srinakarin dam which distributes water along Maeklong dam to Nakornprathom and to filter at Bangbuathong before becoming supply water to population in Bangkok and nearby.

                 By our short conversation with the villagers, we were added some information that Angwa is running stream for whole year and the villagers nearby have been rely on for ages. But the water level was continuously reduced in every year. The villagers were all concerned about the coming drought crisis if the water continued to reduce in every year.

                 Their concern of drought seemed more reasonable to us since we saw the evidence of Huai Kha Khaeng forest invasion along the road sides that had widely turned the world heritage buffer area into crops fields. On some hill, the lush green previously covered was vanished. These made us depressed, hope for tiny chance that Angwa stream may be escaped from the drought crisis as villagers concern. Otherwise, Angwa stream would soon face with the same fate as some other streams in Northern part of Thailand where there have been no water anymore because of serious invasion crisis.

                 During the way back, several notification signage found along road sides. A signage of Department of Highway declared that they have no policy of road construction through the wildlife sanctuary. This shows their honorable viewpoint regarding forest protection, unlike ones who tried to construct 1117 Maewong-Umphang Road two years ago, and ones who recently tried to construct Sangklaburi-Umphang Road through world heritage site that will turn the wealthy sources of water into forever drought with any wildlife.

                 After passed buffer area, we again reached the shrine of Sua guardian spirit. We stopped to pay respect and found a poem with no date and author recorded. Its content was to urge people awareness of forest and wildlife.

Surin / reported
Translated by Nutthinee Jerachasilp

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