Introduction
Generally, the loss and degradation of tropical forests are no longer only the concern of
affected nations but also of the international community because of the damage such
consequences have on the health of the environment. The destruction of tropical forests,
therefore, is the topic of major global discussions, especially because science has shown that
these resources house rich pools of biodiversity.
There is no doubt that remaining forests need to be protected and that deforested areas
need to be replanted. Moreover, there is no disagreement that local people must be involved in
conservation efforts if they are to succeed. In this respect, participation is an essential element of
sustainability and should be considered synonymous with the term. Although both concepts are
widely accepted, participation is subject to many interpretations and takes many forms. For
some, forest conservation is participatory only if projects are locally initiated and decisions are
made by the affected people.Recently, the rights of people living in or near protected areas are receiving more
international attention and, once again, social or participatory forestry is central to these debates.
At a national level, participation in the protection of the environment and natural resources is
often regarded as crucial to poverty reduction due to their importance in meeting the needs of
rural inhabitants for fuelwood, construction material, food and fodder, for example. There is also
a basic assumption that people who depend on forest goods and services have a vested interest in
protecting these resources.
This paper describes the background and situation of forest management in Thailand,
providing an overview of the historical context, institutional framework, and current
programmes under the responsibility of the Royal Forest Department (RFD), including
community forest management.