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Some of the environmental actions that people in Thailand are involved in are highlighted in 'Preserving and Saving Thailand' on p 10 of Voices & Values: Citizenship in Asia. The Yad Fon Association in Trang Province in Thailand is one example of a community-based organisation supporting local people to address their environmental problems.

Visit three websites to find out more about the ways people in Thailand's southern coastal regions are conserving and preserving their coastal environments.

1. Yad Fon Association

   This website contains an article about a visit to a village assisted by the Yad Fon Association in Thailand's Trang Province:

   http://www.xaap.com/english/resource/article/main_list_article.asp?catid=4012&rid=2595

   • Why is seagrass vital to Joa Mai village? In pairs, create a list of reasons for seagrass conservation.

   • Discuss and make a list of the environmental advantages of small scale fishing over the use of large commercial fishing trawlers in the region.

   • Draw a diagram to illustrate the positive impact of the arrival of the dugong (manatee) had on Jao Mai village.

   • In small groups, develop a radio news feature item reporting on the death of the dugong. Include several interviews with Jao Mai villagers talking about their views on local environmental issues. Present this as a group.

   • Jonathan Taylor writes about meeting Maya Hawa, a mother of four, who coordinated Yad Fon's program to build up seagrass. What activities is she involved in? What does she see as the womens' role in environmental activities in the village?

2. Earth Island Institute

   The Earth Island Institute Website contains some information on The Yad Fon Association in Thailand's Trang Province:

   http://www.earthisland.org/map/sstal.htm#yadfon

   • How does the Mangrove Action Project describe Thailand's Yad Fon Association?

   • What are the major benefits for Thai coastal communities of conserving their mangroves?

   • Use the information you have found to design a Yad Fon Association community awareness poster to illustrate the impact of uncontrolled shrimp farming.

   • Hold a class forum on whether or not there should be a world boycott of farmed shrimp.

3. Community Aid Abroad

   The Community Aid Abroad website contains an article about Ao Goong village Fisher-folk Association:

   http://www.caa.org.au/horizons/h19/safenvrn.html

   • Create a 'factor wheel' to illustrate the factors which impacted upon and changed Ao Goong's environment.

   • Discuss and record the actions the Ao Goong Fisher-folk Association have taken to address the causes of their environmental problems.
     

   • In small groups, list the problems the Ao Goong villagers now face, despite the success of their campaign. Discuss what creative solutions they could try to address these problems.

   • Write a letter to the Thai Fisheries Department, on behalf of the Ao Goong Fisher-folk Association, outlining the need for increased patrols in the area.