Phuket conservationists upset by chopping of 100-year-old tree
Eakkapop Thongtub


The 100-year-old tree has been cut in the past but not as severely as the most recent cut.

PHUKET: -- Local conservationists, the 'Big Tree' group, are up in arms over the mysterious cutting down of a 100-year-old banyan tree next to the Orborjor school on Chao Fa East Rd in Talad Nua.

At about midday on Wednesday (March 4) a group of local engineers and architects known as the ʻBig Tree̕ group went to put a “Do Not Cut” sign on the 100-year-old Banyan tree which has been lopped in the past.

Secretary of the Phuket Engineers and Architects Association, Anawut Prapanwong said that the ʻBig Tree̕ group want to preserve all century old trees on the island and are against the cutting of any big trees.

Anawau said, “The school̕s security guards told us that 5 or 6 workmen came and chopped the tree.

“We questioned the Phuket Orborjor about the chopping but a spokesperson for them said that they have never ordered any department to cut the ancient tree.

“We have also contacted Phuket Municipality who have also said they did not order the chopping.”

The group will monitor activity around the area to see if they can find who was responsible for the chopping of the old tree.

Conservationists from all over Phuket have come together in recent times with the purpose of taking care and preserving ancient trees for future generations to enjoy and to preserve what is the natural habitat for many kinds of animals.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-conservationists-upset-by-chopping-of-100-year-old-tree-51307.php


-- Phuket News 2015-03-09

Not a lot they can do if a tree is on private land.

I don't suppose they ever preserved its genes. That tree should have been cloned or at least seedlings should have been started long ago.

I don't suppose they ever preserved its genes. That tree should have been cloned or at least seedlings should have been started long ago.

I'm sure that during it's hundred year life it has already reproduced.......................many times.

Birds eat the fruit and distribute the seeds over a wide area via their droppings.

Edited March 9, 201511 yr by KarenBravo

Not a lot they can do if a tree is on private land.

In the uk a Tree Preservation Order ( TPO ) can be placed on any tree even on private land and any work on it even pruning needs an application form, maybe the same type of order exists in Thailand.

Edited March 9, 201511 yr by kmj

Sounds like my father in law,if it grows cut it down,seems to be his approach.

Most Asians I have ever met look upon nature as a resource to be used. Not something of beauty to be preserved.

Have you hugged a tree today?

Not a lot they can do if a tree is on private land.

You country of birth was obviously a sad banana republic were people with money and private land could do as they please?

Not a lot they can do if a tree is on private land.

You country of birth was obviously a sad banana republic were people with money and private land could do as they please?

Huh?

We are not talking about my country of birth, we are talking about Thailand (duh!).

And yes, here in Thailand "people with money and private land can do as they please".

Edited March 9, 201511 yr by KarenBravo

...and on the opposite side (King Rama IX park) they plant a new one.....

Slowly, slowly environmental awareness is concurring a place in Thai society. In that respect I find this excellent news.

Pity this group wasn't around before someone hacked down that huge tree at the end of the straight stretch of Vised Road heading into Rawai beach.

Looks like it was pruned due to it's proximity to the electricity wires.