Minister Suchart Leads Natural Resources Team to Sichang Island to Monitor Royal Initiative Projects
Natural Resources Minister Suchart Chomklin inspected royal initiative projects on Sichang Island, monitoring progress across water management, waste treatment, clean energy, and tourism development with senior officials and the King's secr
On May 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin, accompanied by Dr. Raviwhan Phuridet, the ministry's permanent secretary, and other senior officials, visited Sichang Island in Chonburi province to monitor progress on royal initiative projects and programs. Air Chief Marshal Satit Phongsukhum, the King's secretary, and Naris Niramaivangs, the Chonburi provincial governor, joined the inspection. The team held a progress review meeting at the Sichang Island History Learning Center, where relevant agencies reported on five major development areas: water management, wastewater treatment, clean energy and energy security, waste management, and tourism development.
The team then inspected key project sites including drought-resistant tree planting at Tai Yai Beach, landscape improvements at the white squirrel conservation project, the Sichang Subdistrict Municipality garbage disposal facility, and public safety measures at the Sichang Island police station, which has been equipped with electric motorcycles for operations.
Dr. Raviwhan reported that the ministry continues to drive these projects through coordination with six main agencies: the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, the Pollution Control Department, the Royal Forest Department, the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, the Royal Irrigation Department, and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
For waste management, new guidelines have been established for waste disposal facilities with clear designation of burial and disposal areas, along with systems to collect wastewater and release gases to reduce fire risk and community impact. Water management projects include dam construction to improve water retention capacity on the island, with materials and site preparation complete and early completion expected. Additional water storage tanks are also under construction to support future community and tourism expansion.
Tourism development efforts include reforestation of 2.7 rai at Tai Yai Beach with drought-resistant native species such as weeping fig and Thai rain tree, along with seed-shooting activities using tamarind and sida seeds to restore the ecosystem and increase green space on the island long-term.
