The workshop on Forest Genetic Resource Management in Thailand supported by the ITTO
project on Strengthening National Capacity and Regional Collaboration for Sustainable Use of Forest
Genetic Resources in Tropical Asia, PD 199/03 Rev. .3 (F) and assisted by the Asia Pacific
Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI) was held on 12 March 2008 at the
Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok. The day-long workshop (Appendix 1) was attended by 40
participants from the government, research, and academic sector, including NGOs
(Appendix 2).
The main objectives of this workshop were to:
1. To enhance the capacity of forest genetic resource management in Thailand;
2. To consult, exchange knowledge, and share information and experiences among
parties involved in forest genetic resource management in Thailand; and
3. To have related parties jointly determine a guiding framework for the development
of forest genetic resource management in Thailand.
In order to have an effective one-day workshop a survey form (Appendix 3) was sent out
to the participants before the workshop. The participants were asked for opinions and
comments on two main topics: i) Capacity enhancement in various activities and ii) Network
enhancement on the management and conservation of forest tree agencies. The first topic
was further divided into four subtopics: priority species, training and further education,
research, and continuity of operations. Eighteen copies of this form were collected by 3
March 2009. The comments were varied depending on their organizations and experiences.
For example, 29 species had been selected as priority species for genetic conservation, with
teak (Tectona grandis) considered as the first priority (Appendix 4).