Khao Yai

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Entering the region of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand an immediate damper is set over Thanarat Road, the four lane highway that leads to Thailand’s oldest and most cherished national park and the World Heritage site of Khao Yai. A route once inhabited by brilliant fresh greens now lies with a ten kilometer boarder of broken rock, red dirt and roots ripped from the ground, contributing to a “natural” scenic route.



Sopon Sarum, Thailand’s Minister of Transportation demanded road expansion to lessen traffic jams, and create more fluid means of travel through Khao Yai. However, cars on Thanarat Road can be counted on two hands, making reason to double the size of the route, merely seem like a monetary outsource. The ministry of transportation claims that road expansion will raise town development; however, real consequences include rising land costs, with decreasing property area. People of Khao Yai do not hold favor in the expansion, and only became aware of construction once it had begun, giving them no chance, nor choice to voice their opinion. For this, Greenpeace created a mission and responsibility to represent public voice, in discovering means of how this forest destruction, and rising climate change can be halted.

Over the next three days Greenpeace held hands with local environmental NGO's (later formed a coalition called "People's Alliance for Conservation of Khao Yai- the World's Heritage")
Efforts advanced to success with the message from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that the project will be suspended until further investigation of environmental impact. Now the people await a confirmed response to the future of Thanarat Road, while Greenpeace staff hopes authorities continue to consider social and environmental impacts before embarking on potential projects.