Thailand to increase forest ranger salaries and workforce

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans to bolster its forest protection efforts by increasing the number of forest rangers, aiming to alleviate the current workload and enhance forest conservation across the nation.

Ratchata Pisitbannakorn, assistant to Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, highlighted the ministry’s appreciation for the diligent work of rangers during a World Ranger Day event on Wednesday, July 31. He announced that starting in October, the monthly salary for rangers would rise to 11,000 baht from the current 9,000 baht.

The ministry also intends to reduce the strain on the existing 21,000 rangers, who oversee 75 million rai of forest and maritime reserves, by expanding the workforce. Currently, one ranger is responsible for approximately 5,000 rai. The goal is to eventually lower this average to 3,000 rai per ranger, although Ratchata noted that achieving this in mountainous areas might take longer compared to flat regions.

“We can do it immediately in flat areas, but it may take longer for the mountainous zones. Thai rangers are regarded as some of the world’s best thanks to their success in protecting the nation’s pristine forests.”

Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Tosapol Phuanudom expressed the province’s gratitude for the rangers’ efforts, particularly in combating annual forest fires. He emphasised that forest fires are the primary threat to the province, causing significant haze and smoke pollution over the past two decades.

However, Tosapol noted improvements in air quality this year, attributing this to the rangers’ hard work in reducing hotspots and burn traces, despite a 60% decline in rainfall compared to last year.

“The number of days with PM2.5 levels exceeding the safe threshold has also decreased by 28% compared to last year.”

Dindo Campilan, regional director for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, underlined the global environmental threats posed by the rapid disappearance of various species. He stressed that this phenomenon disrupts the ecosystem’s delicate balance and jeopardises access to clean air, water, and medicine.

Campilan praised the rangers for implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which promotes sustainability. He also called for rangers to receive adequate resources, better welfare, fair compensation, and sufficient support to effectively perform their duties, reported Bangkok Post.

“Forest rangers deserve to have adequate resources, better welfare, fair compensation and enough support to effectively carry out their duties.”