Turning Bangkok Green Again

Not long ago, an American congressman visiting Bangkok scanned the city’s skyline and quipped that Thailand’s national bird must be “the building crane.” Known for dazzling temples and sizzling nightlife, the Thai capital has evolved dramatically in recent years. Skyscrapers tower over roads congested with notorious traffic jams as Skytrains snake through concrete canyons. But a corner of the metropolis has remained nearly as green and serene as when the city was christened Bangkok (“The Village of Plum Trees”) centuries ago. That corner, nestled in a nook in the Chao Phraya River, is an island named Bang Kachao. Dubbed Best Urban Oasis in Asia in 2006 by Time, the bean-shaped 1,920-hectare island is still home to trees, farms and fruit orchards crisscrossed by walking and bicycle trails. Long before it became a destination for day-trippers, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej recognized the bursting with ecological importance of Bang Kachao, full of greens, producing clean air surround and urging governments to protect and preserve its environment. But times have changed. Soaring land prices and aggressive developers are threatening to transform the nature and landscape of Bang Kachao. Fortunately, an alliance of state agencies has rallied to fulfill the vision of the late king. Leading the effort is state energy company PTT. Since 2008, PTT has been working to create a sustainable future for Bang Kachao. It involves restoring green spaces, developing community green areas, improving quality of life, building local enterprises and working with young people to promote community leadership. PTT’s partners in this endeavor are the Royal Forestry Department, the Faculty of Forestry of Kasetsart University and the Chaipattana Foundation, which administers more than 4,000 royal development projects. PTT has also taken part in renovating the Garden Commemorating His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday, by restoring the green area with local plants. “Most people want to keep Bang Kachao as the green space of the city, with no commercial businesses. However, the reality is that the locals still need to earn a living. We need to take this factor into consideration,” says Tevin Vongvanich, president and CEO of PTT. “We are trying to balance three important aspects, which are economy, society and the environment.” That holistic and integrated approach is required, considering that the island is home to 40,000 people and essential to Bangkok in its battle against climate change. Bang Kachao traps more than 6,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, according to one study. The island is home to three ecosystems: mangrove forest, rain forest and freshwater swamp forest. “We are trying to balance three important aspects, which are economy, society and the environment.” Tevin Vongvanich President and CEO, PTT In 2013, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), one of PTT Group flagships, has focused on developing green space at the Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park and Botanical Garden by not just adding new plants but also restoring its bird watching tower and bicycle and hiking trails. In addition to increasing the green space covering Bang Kachao from 60% to 70% of its total area, the project also works with locals on livelihoods. Farmers and gardeners are learning about and adopting organic methods, and professors from Kasetsart University hope the island can serve as an urban food bank of healthy produce for the city. “If we don’t take action, the traditional way of life and the forests will disappear,’’ says Montathip Sommeechai, a lecturer at the university’s Faculty of Forestry. The project works with other locals so that they can develop small businesses that will serve ecotourism. Between 10,000 and 15,000 people visit Bang Kachao every month to hike or pedal through its nipa palms and banyan trees, or just to escape the noise and crowds of the city. Across the river, not far from Suvarnabhumi Airport, PTT has created a second urban oasis, known as the Metro Forest. In 2012, the PTT Reforestation Institute reclaimed two square kilometers of abandoned land, brought in a team of local and international experts and asked them to re-create the wilderness that covered much of Bangkok in its early days. They launched an ecological regeneration project, planting more than 40,000 trees consisting of 279 different local species. Unlike a manicured park or botanical garden, the Metro Forest is designed to let nature take its course. PTT says the “forest reflects Bangkok’s former landscape for public education and enjoyment and establishes a new trajectory of landscape typologies, such as natural wilderness for the future.” It was also inspired by and honors the reforestation work of the Royal Family and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Balancing the economy, society and the environment is more crucial than ever. Climate change and unchecked development have been cited as contributing factors in devastating floods as far away as Houston, Texas. With sea levels predicted to rise, the future of low-lying Bangkok might be in peril. But nothing is inevitable if people pull together. By working with government, scientists, other experts and, most of all, communities in places such as Bang Kachao, PTT is committed to helping Bangkok and all of Thailand achieve a green and sustainable future. “The forest reflects Bangkok’s former landscape for public education and enjoyment and establishes a new trajectory of landscape typologies, such as natural wilderness for the future.” PTT