Green pioneer leaves earthly roots: Thai environmentalist branches out at 77

The notable Thai environmentalist and tree-planting fanatic, dubbed Dab Wichai, passed away at the age of 77 yesterday.

Wichai Suriyuth, better known as Dab Wichai, was renowned for planting over two million trees in Prang Ku district, Sisaket Province. His efforts transformed a once barren forest into a thriving eco-haven.

Born on August 3, 1946, in Uthumphon Phisai district, Sisaket Province, Wichai was the third of six children in a farming family. After his mother passed away while he was in his second year of secondary school, Wichai worked various jobs to support his education at Sisaket College.

After graduating from the Police Cadet Academy in Nakhon Ratchasima in 1968, Wichai served in the Sisaket town police station. In 1971, he was transferred to Prang Ku district, where he served until his retirement in 2006 when he held the position of Crime Prevention and Suppression Officer. His outstanding service earned him the special rank of Police Corporal.

Sisaket, the poorest province in Thailand, had a high crime rate. In his role as a local investigative officer, Wichai was acutely aware of the issues and decided to improve the living conditions of the locals. His solution: tree planting for long-term benefits to future generations.

Every morning and after work, Wichai would ride his motorcycle to plant trees in various locations within Prang Ku. Initially, locals regarded him as a madman. Despite societal judgment, he continued to plant trees.

By 1998, the community began to see the fruits of his labour. Public tree planting projects sprouted such as the campaigns to plant rubber trees for home construction, sugar palms for their various uses, Khoon trees, the symbol of the Isaan region and Thailand, and to convert annual rice fields into mixed gardens. This transformed Prang Ku into a flourishing district, providing jobs for locals, reported Sanook.

In 2000, the ten sub-districts of Prang Ku unanimously adopted the four campaigns as their slogan: “Prang Ku, in the rubber forest amid a sugar palm grove, blooming with Khoon flowers, prosperous with mixed gardens.”

Wichai was honoured with the prestigious fifth rank of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (B.M.) in 1983.

“I believe that the material world is all illusionary. True happiness lies within nature and respecting nature. I will have to plant trees, keep planting continuously until I die.”