First Pracharat Marine Protection Institute opens in Phuket

PHUKET: General Surasak Kanjanarat, head of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, chaired the opening ceremony of the first marine protection institute in Thailand on May 15.

The Pracharat Marine Protection Institute, located in Sirinat National Park, is based on the ‘Pracharat’ ideology of economic partnerships among the people, the government and the private sector.

“The institute is located inside the tourist and youth service center of Sirinat National Park in Nai Yang beach area,” Gen Surasak said.

“The institute will train staff to become experts on marine preservation,” he said. “Trainees will work toward marine protection in the public, private and governmental sectors.”

Gen Surasak said the institute will offer 160 hours of training in the areas of marine natural resource identification and preservation, forest preservation, sustainable diving, reef maintenance and marine life rescue. A total of around 60 staff members are expected to undergo training as the first class of the Pracharat Marine Protection Institute.

— Sukawin Tanthavanich