BASELINE STUDY 5, Thailand - Forest Trends

order to get quicker returns. In the past, the FIO has been suspected in corruption with logging and plantation
projects. The institution also carries a high debt load, which constrains its ability to effectively expand or add
value to its operations.
FIO supplies plantation teak to small and medium-sized furniture industries, which are concentrated in Phrae
Province, and some of these industries are export-oriented (ITTO 2006:91). The FIO also runs the Thai Plywood
Company, as well as an MDF mill.
Up to 20% of the FIO lands are occupied by local farmers who use the land for agricultural production. As a result
there is a history of tensions between the FIO and local communities (ITTO 2006:91). In addition, some FIO
plantations established in the 1960s, 70s and 80s were founded upon the eviction of existing farmers (see e.g.
Barney 2001), and in some cases these disputes have continued to the present (Ekachai 2009; Prachatai 2009;
Isaan Record 2011). One measure that the FIO has recently taken to mitigate these local land use issues is
through the “Forest Plantation for Community” initiative. Villagers are able to form a group and make a request
to the FIO to farm part of the plantation area pending FIO approval. Another FIO project, “Fund for Developing
Forest Plantation”, gives 100,000 Thai Baht to the community for livelihood development.
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMC) is the responsible state authority for mangroves and
coastal forests.
Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning develops natural resource and conservation
management plans and policies.
Pollution Control Department regulates, supervises, directs, coordinates, monitors and evaluates rehabilitation,
protection and conservation of environment quality
Department of Environment Quality Promotion carries out research, development training, and public awareness
programs, and promotes the development of environment technology in natural resources management.
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC)
The management of Thailand’s rubber plantation sector and the production of latex rubber falls under the
MOAC, whereas the conversion of rubberwood logs into value-added wood products is under the coordination
of the RFD. The MOAC includes the following relevant agencies:
Department of Land Development Department (including forest land use planning)
Department of Agricultural Extension promotes the uptake of new agricultural and plantation sector technologies
and knowledge by Thailand’s small-scale producers.
Rubber Research Institute is mainly involved in rubber latex productivity enhancement.
Agricultural Land Reform Office is responsible for the de-classification of state forest lands and redistribution to
farmers.
Office of Agricultural Economics produces statistics and undertakes research on Thai agricultural issues including
in the rubber sector and the non-forest plantation sector.
© EU FLEGT Facility, BASELINE STUDY 5, Thailand: Overview of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade, July 2011
This Action is funded by the European Union and the governments of Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. The views expressed herein
can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.
www.euflegt.efi.int
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