Electricity Generating Public Company Limited or EGCO Group led by Thai conservation of Forest Foundation has successfully completed the improvement of the “Pha Dok Siao Natural Trail” in Doi Intanon National Park, Chiang Mai. Flora and fauna signages on site, online and 360-degree virtual video have been handed over to the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). In addition, the foundation has promoted six areas of development to make Mae Klang Luang Village the tourist attraction prototype of cultural ecology that achieves harmony living between watershed forests and Paka Nyaw community. The development project also encourages visitors to realize the importance of their participation in natural preservation in sustainable manner. The handover ceremony was held on 7 November 2023 with Mr. Tosapol Phuanudom, Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai, as a witness.

Mr. Thepparat Theppitak, EGCO Group’s President and Chairman of the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation, echoed that EGCO Group has been operating its business with commitment to sustainability and being good corporate citizen who truly cares for communities and the environment. For over 20 years, the company has established and supported the operations of the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation, a charitable organization focusing on conservation and rehabilitation of watershed forest and its biodiversity. One of the foundation’s major tasks is to improve natural trails, making them safe and friendly “natural classroom”. Since its launch in 2007, the project has continued uninterruptedly to offer opportunities for young people and the general public to closely appreciate the nature and realize the importance of watershed forests and natural resources. The ultimate goal is to encourage the people to participate in conserving the nature for the next generation.

Pha Dok Siao Natural Trail, is the fourth project the foundation has adopted. The trail passes through the watershed forest in Doi Intanon National Park, running through the lower part of the rich hill evergreen forest and agricultural areas to Paka Nyaw villages in Ban Mae Klang Luang Village. The trail, therefore, becomes a significant learning center for “cultural ecology” that perfectly combines the beautiful nature and watershed forest ecology with unique Paka Nyaw culture. This area successfully demonstrates the harmony living between human and forest. In addition, it is a low-carbon tourist attraction which has low impact on the environment.

“In improving the trails, Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation intends to create minimal impact on the nature. We have listed to the opinions and recommendation from different groups. We have incorporated the construction technique of Paka Nyaw into the trail development to maintain their unique culture. At the same time, we have produced 14 signages to provide interesting information at different points along the trail. The signages serve as an educational tool providing information about the value and relationship of all species in the forest. We have developed online information system and 360-degree virtual video for interested persons to find out more information about Pha Dok Siao Nature Trail at their convenience. We hope, with these tools, we will be able to help visitors and the general public realize the importance of the dependence and relationship of human and ecology system, which leads to awareness and intention to protect and conserve the nature and watershed forests in a sustainable manner,” said Thepparat.

Mr. Attapol Charoenchansa, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said the department highly values participation from all parties in natural resources and the environment management to promote sustainability. The cooperation between the DNP, EGCO Group and the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation in improving natural trail in national parks since 2008 has been carried out under the 4th MoU (2021-2026). The foundation is considered a success case and a leading example of a private organization with commitment to working with the government in promoting and driving DNP’s missions towards success.

In addition to the development of the nature trail, the foundation plans to bring its know-how and experience to promote sustainable tourism and protect the watershed forests in the Ban Mae Klang Luang. The six areas of know-how are 1) conservation of watershed forest and biodiversity in 19,000 rai area; 2) forest rehabilitation and improvement of agricultural system in 500 rai area; 3) development of Pha Dok Siao Nature Trail; 4) encouraging young people to lead conservation activities; 5) science and cultural researches to prepare sustainable natural resource management database; and 6) promoting the prototype project where man and forest can live together in harmony. This know-how will enable Ban Mae Klang Luang to serve as the prototype area for culture ecology tourist attraction in Doi Intanon National Park.

Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail is 2.6 kilometer long. It takes 2-2.5 hours to finish the trail by foot. Cutting through evergreen forests, the trail leads visitors to the beautiful Pha Dok Siao Waterfall or Rak Jang Waterfall and Pha Dok Siao where there are lots of Siao Dok Khao (mountain ebony tree) in February and March. This area is the border between the preserved forest in Doi Intanon National Park and villages, making it a great example of an area with harmony living between man and nature. Along this trail, visitors will have a spectacular view of the rice terrace, which is local agricultural area, and Ban Mae Klang Luang village. At the end of the trail, visitors will find themselves enjoying the unique local lifestyle and culture of the Paka Ngaw.

About improvement of nature trail in watershed forest by Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation
In addition to Pha Dok Siao Nature Trail, EGCO Group’s Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation has cooperated with the DNP in improving eight nature trails in major watershed forests – Peak of Doi Intanon (2018), Kew Mae Pan (2019) and Ang Ka (2021) in Doi Intanon National Park;  Monthatarn Waterfall in Suthep National Park-Pui National Park (2015); and 4 routes in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, including Phrom Lok Waterfall, Karoam Waterfall and Ai Khiew Waterfall (2017), and Krung Ching Waterfall (2022).

Please scan this QR Code to visit online information and watch the 360-degree virtual video of the "Pha Dok Siao Nature Trail".