PAKOIWA

Tak Province, Thailand

Mr. Witthaya Panpunyakorakul

Position: Head of Baan Pakoiwa Agri-Nature Learning Center

Kamnan Witthaya, or Village Chief Witthaya, serves as the village chief ​of Phra That Subdistrict in Mae Ramat District, Tak Province. In 2012, ​he was instrumental in mediating conflicts between villagers and ​national park officials over arable land in Huai Krathing Village, his ​hometown. His efforts were aimed at promoting sustainable ​agriculture and fostering harmonious coexistence between villagers ​and the forest.

Following an Agri-Nature course with Dr. Wiwat Salyakamthorn, Chief ​Witthaya and the villagers returned to their village with a mission to ​revive deforested mountains. They applied the principles of the ​“Khok Nong Na Model,” an area modification concept that mimics ​natural processes. Their efforts resulted in the expansion of the ​communal forest in the village by 1,000 rai (approximately 400 acres).

In 2018, he established the Baan Pakoiwa Agri-Nature Learning ​Center - "Pakoiwa" meaning "white bee in the forest." This center ​aims to promote the philosophy of "People living with the forest," ​which restores the forest while transitioning to sustainable ​agricultural practices that coexist with natural ecosystems. The ​center has attracted students from every district in Tak Province, ​contributing to an increase in forest area more than 2,000 rai ​(approximately 800 acres). These initiatives are designed to ignite a ​movement for future generations, demonstrating the potential for ​sustainable living and environmental stewardship.

PROBLEM SITUATION

PROCESS : STEPS OF TRANSFORMATION

1.Team Formation: Assemble a team of ‘Hua Wai Jai Su’ the Quick-Thinking and Courageous " with three key qualities:

• Ideology Standing,
• Activeness, and
• Influence over others.

This team collaborates to understand the problems and explore solutions by forming a group and learning new ​development approaches under the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.

2. Network Support: Strengthen the network with support in four areas:

• Moral Support,
• Mass Support,
• Technical Support, and
• Financial Support.

3.Model Creation: Establish at least one clear model by starting with the restoration of soil, water, and forests, and ​achieving self-sufficiency according to the "9-Step to Sufficiency Economy”

4.Group Formation: Form groups to practice in network plots to create a common ideology, set group rules for common ​interests, and build personal relationships.

5.Organizational Establishment: Set up an organization and drive it in collaboration with other Sufficiency Economy ​networks in the form of a Dynamic Organization, restarting processes 1-4.

TECHNIQUE : METHODS AND INNOVATIONS

Approach to Large-scale Mountain and Watershed Man

TEAM : NETWORKS AND PARTNERS

Divided into 4 Groups, Analogous to Trees

Heartwood Group: Consists of individuals at the personal, family, ​community, and network levels who support and understand the ​Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, translating it into practice with ​principles, possess integrity, and foster leadership.

Flesh Group: Acts as the supporting team, ready to assist in all activities.

Sapwood Group: Similar to the plant's root system, provides support in ​four aspects: moral, mass, technical, and financial.

Bark Group: Individuals who agree and are ready to protect.

KEY SUCCESS FACTOR :Partnership for goal

10 Networks and 20 Organizations Collaborating to Address Issues and Learn Together Over a 10-Year Period

1. Social Sector Organizations (6 Organizations):

• Agri-Nature Foundation
• Earthsafe Foundation
• Thai PuengTon Foundation
• National Farmers Councils of Tak Province
• Mab Ueang Agri-Nature Center
• Krisana Kraisintu Foundation

2. Religious Organization (1 Organization):

• The Church of Christ in Thailand

3. Academic Institution (1 Institution):

• King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

4. Civil Society (2 Networks):

• Agri-Nature Network
• MayDay Network
  

5. Private Sector Organization (1 Organization):

• Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production Limited ​Company

6. State Enterprise (1 Organization):

• Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)

7. Media (1 Organization):

• Thai PBS Television Station and media from various ​network organizations

8. National Government Agencies (3 Agencies):

• Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
• Ministry of Interior

9. Local Government Agencies (3 Agencies):

• Tak Provincial Land Development Department (under ​the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives)
• Khun Pa Wor National Park (under the Ministry of ​Natural Resources and Environment)
• Governors, Village Chiefs, and District Chiefs of Tak ​Province (under the Ministry of Interior)

10. International Networks (1 Network):

• SEP Resilience Network (Thailand, Vietnam, Bhutan, ​New Zealand)