CHIANG RAI — Chiang Rai province has launched a hands-on conservation program to inspire local youth to protect vital watershed forests. On August 18, 2026, Governor Chucheep Phongchai officially opened the sixth training session of the initiative at Ban Pa Bong School in Phan District. The project teaches students practical skills by building traditional check dams to restore forest moisture and reduce natural disaster risks.
Local leaders joined the event, including Phan District Chief Udom Pokpongbovornkul and disaster management officials. Eighty passionate students and community volunteers gathered at the school auditorium to learn how community-led water management protects local ecosystems. Participants spent the day learning core conservation concepts before stepping outdoors to apply their new knowledge in real stream channels.
Key Takeaways
- Hands-on Youth Training: Eighty local students in Phan District learned how to build traditional check dams to protect water sources.
- Massive Provincial Reach: The project trains 560 young conservation leaders across seven districts in Chiang Rai between August 4 and August 19, 2026.
- Disaster Risk Reduction: Check dams slow down rapid water runoff, reduce flash flood damage, and preserve groundwater during dry seasons.
Understanding Climate with Local Wisdom
According to the Chiang Rai Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, climate change continues to disrupt weather patterns across northern Thailand. Heavy downpours, flash floods, and severe dry spells now happen more frequently throughout the region. Officials emphasized that protecting natural upstream forests remains an urgent priority to shield communities from extreme weather hazards.
Building small check dams, known locally in the Lanna dialect as paeng fai, provides an affordable and time-tested defense against these environmental threats. These simple barriers slow down rushing rainwater during flash floods and keep moisture locked inside forest soil. In addition, the stored water provides a steady water supply for nearby farming villages during the long dry season.
Empowering 560 Young Eco-Leaders Across 7 Districts
The youth initiative runs from August 4 to August 19, 2026, across seven districts in Chiang Rai. Organizers selected 560 civic-minded students across Wiang Chiang Rung, Mae Suai, Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong, Thoeng, Phan, and Mae Chan. Each district hosts an intensive training camp for 80 young leaders to prepare them for local environmental stewardship.
Following the opening ceremony, Governor Chucheep led students and local volunteers to Ban Pa Pee Creek to construct working check dams. Community leaders and youth worked side by side in the stream bed using natural stones and wood. The governor highlighted that long-term forest survival depends on passing conservation knowledge down to the next generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a check dam (paeng fai) and why is it important?
A check dam is a small, low barrier built across a natural stream using local materials like rocks, bamboo, or timber. It slows rushing rainwater, traps rich soil sediment, and helps rainwater soak deeply into the ground.
How many students are participating in this program?
A total of 560 youth participate across seven districts in Chiang Rai. Each district trains a dedicated group of 80 students in environmental leadership and practical watershed restoration.
Which government agencies support this conservation campaign?
The program operates under the Chiang Rai Integrated Provincial Administration budget for fiscal year 2026, coordinated by the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, district offices, and the Chiang Rai Breath Council.
Trending News:
Chiang Rai Burning Season: When It Starts, AQI Levels, and How to Prepare
Thailand’s New Green Plan: Can Gas and Renewables Coexist by 2037?
