Thailand set to hold National Forest Conservation Day 2016

BANGKOK, Jan 15 (TNA) -- The group of forest conservation agencies are preparing to hold the National Forest Conservation Day 2016 to promote forest conservation and protection, while planning to also launch an smart phone application for the public to immediately notify authorities of forest illegal logging. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with members of the forest conservation network, the Royal Thai Army and Navy, as well as the Royal Thai Police gave a press conference on the organising of the National Forest Conservation Day 2016. The Ministry Permanent Secretary Kasemsun Chinnavaso said the Cabinet has approved that every January 14 should be recognised as the National Forest Day, which for this year the ministry and members of the forest conservation network have decided to organise the event on January 29 at the Khao Yai National Park to create a forest conservation and prevention trend among the Thai people, instill an awareness among everyone on the effects that could be caused by the destruction of forests and natural resources. The ministry has also selected a well known TV star like "Pancake"- Kemanij Jamikorn and Lt Col Wanchana Sawasdee, an army officer and movie star to help promote the campaign, said the permanent secretary. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Gen Surasak Karnjanarat is set to preside over the official opening ceremony of the event and lead over 600 participants from the public and private sectors, as well as the public to take an oath in protecting and conserving the forests. The Royal Forest Department, meanwhile, has planned to launch a new smart phone application called, the 'Forest4Thai', a platform to allow the public to inform authorities of illegal logging for immediate suppression, as well as a space for the people to make complaints on the works of individual forestry officials. (TNA)