Temporary Halt Ordered For Environmental Research Projects In Thailand

[Jai Dee]

Environmental research projects in Thailand have been ordered for a temporary halt

The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has ordered all environmental research projects in Thailand to discontinue their researches for a time being. It has asserted that the projects will be classified into the species of plants and animals.

The head of the department, Mr. Damrong Pidej (ดำรงค์ พิเดช), said over 100 projects on environmental studies in Thailand have been halted temporarily, including the ones in the national parks’ restricted wildlife zones. More than 20 projects in Khao Yai National Park have been brought to a brief halt, to prevent foreign currencies from investing in those studies. Thus, Thai researchers would be able to conduct their studies and register their own copyrights, especially the studies relating to many varieties of Thai herbs.

Thai researchers can propose their projects to the department fro consideration, and they have to take the national benefits or losses into account. As for the projects that are nearly finished, the department has allowed them to carry on their studies. However, the department has now disapproved around three to four projects. At the moment, over 50 new projects have been submitted, but they have been told to wait as well.

Mr. Damrong said researchers have to tell the details of their projects, such as the sources of their budgets and the purposes of their studies. These facts will help the officials in determining the benefits of the projects.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 September 2006