“Believing that the right beginning brings the right ending,” EGCO Group has continuously been involving and cultivating awareness about natural resources and environmental conservation among young people who will be our future. Conservation of forests, especially watershed forests, is our priority because they are the origin of water, energy, and biodiversity. Allowing young people to have first hand experience observing and living in watershed forests is, perhaps, one of the best way for them to learn and have in-depth understanding of the connection of the entire ecosystem and apply this learning into their daily life,” said Mr. Amornrat Debhasdin Na Ayudhya, Executive Vice President – Accounting of EGCO Group, and a committee member and Treasurer of the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation (TCOF), recalling the origin of the EGCO Forest Youth Camp which has been running for over 20 years.

Again this year, Electricity Generating Public Company Limited or EGCO Group joined forces with the TCOF and Doi Inthanon National Park in carrying out this project. Began in late March 2024, the “58th EGCO Forest Youth Camp” under the “Inspired by Nature” concept saw 64 senior high school students nationwide joining to learn and experience the nature. Inspiration from activities at the camp would enable them to ignite creative ideas to initiate daily activities or projects that will protect and conserve the fragile natural resources and environment. Also, during the seven-day-six-night program, the participants established and nurtured friendship among themselves. 

Learnings have been made enjoyable through activities and communication, enabling the participants to see and realize the importance of watershed forests and the true meaning of natural resources conservation. Among these activities are group activities, camping routine that ranges from cooking their own meals, setting up tents and hammocks, trekking and learning from signages along Kew Mae Pan natural trail, ecosystem and biodiversity learning activities in 6 Men's Embrace forest including soil, water, insect, animals, and others that are interconnected.

Ms. Onpreeya Phimsri (Bai Mint), a student from the Mahasarakham University Demonstration School, Maha Sarakham province, said, “I joined this camp because I want to know more about watershed forests, something I have never heard of. And, I learned a lot about how watershed forests are so important and how we can take good care of natural resources. I am thrilled to show my friends at school what I have learned. I wish my friends and other people at my school will be inspired and join me in taking good care of the nature and the environment, and work together in solving environmental issues within our school. I am so inspired about using herbs to treat illness. This is very useful for people living in remote areas to have easier access to basic treatment. I want to be a “pharmacist” with good knowledge of local herbs and I can help people in remote areas who do not have access to hospital and medical services.”

Ms. Kullabhorn Ratanajaratrod (Jean) from Suankularb Wittayalai Rangsit School, Bangkok, recalled her most impressive activity. “My Beloved Tree” is my most favorite activity. It really opened up my world. It is very difficult for one person to understand and love another person. When it comes to nature, it’s even more difficult. Well, the nature cannot talk so how can we be friends, many people think. But here, through this activity, we befriend with the nature, a sincere and self-sacrificing friend. This camp is wonderful and it teaches me a lot. I learn a lot about new ways of thinking and taking new perspectives of what we see. Sharing seems easy but difficult to do because we all think first of ourselves. Not many would think first of others. I want others to know that the nature shares everything with us and ask ourselves what we share with the nature.”

Mr. Ittichai Chosanab (Klao) from the Demonstration School of Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University, Kanchanaburi province, said, “Before I joined this camp, I didn’t care much about the forest. Now, after joining this camp and learning more about the importance of watershed forests, the environment and the impact from human being, I changed my thought. I want to preserve and restore the nature. I want to share the information I have learned here with as many people as possible. I believe that young people are open minded. They know what happens but do not know how to start protecting the nature. I believe with full support and understanding from adults, young people can optimize their power of creativity and energy to empower changes for the nature.”

Mr. Muhammadrofad Hengdada (Obo), a student from Thamavitya Mulniti School, Yala province, said, “I wish to thank the EGCO Forest Youth Camp for enormous knowledge about the environment. I wish to thank all participants for this beautiful friendship. When I return home, I want to set up a special team to preserve the nature and streams in and around my village. I want others to see that the nature is important and fragile. If we do not take good care of it, we will experience the undesirable impact. I believe that with real action, we will inspire others and create larger and wider positive impact.”

Seeing all the participants off to their families, Ms. Mananee Phatayacheva, Secretary of the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation, concluded, “At the end of this one-week camp, all participants have better understanding, knowledge and awareness about the watershed forests and natural resources. More importantly, they are not only inspired to change and adopt new positive behaviors, but also are ready to inspire friends, families, and communities to become conservationists.”