NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 23 August 2012 – National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Damrong Pidej paid a second visit to the Kuankreng peat swamp forest after forest fires have been ravaging the protected forest land for more than three weeks.
During his visit, Mr Damrong is expected to hold talks with provincial authorities to devise short- and long-term rehabilitation plans for the peat forests.
Coordinated efforts have been made to douse the peat fires which continue to burn underground given the low level of water supply in the area. The Royal Rainmaking Bureau is preparing four helicopters for another artificial rain-making operation in the affected areas.
The fires have so far destroyed at least 15,000 rai of forest land in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla. Reports suggest that the cause of the fires was human activity.
