Mr. Banthoon Lamsam, Chairman of the Board, KASIKORNBANK, as a sponsor and director of the seminar, said that KBank has been granted a royal permission to support and coordinate the Rakpanan Academic Seminar in collaboration with Office of HRH Princess Sirindhorn's Project as project director, Chulalongkorn University, Royal Thai Army, Mae Fag Luang University and Nan Province. Agencies participating in the RAKPANAN Project will present their operational progresses and results over the last two years at the seminar.
The 4th Rakpanan Academic Seminar is aimed at seeking cooperation from the relevant agencies in restoring headwater forests in Nan and encouraging local residents to adopt occupations that are more creative and self-sufficient, so that they can co-exist with the forests. The seminar is also intended to promote awareness among children and youths in Nan to preserve natural resources, which are our national treasures, ahead.
The seminar begins with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's keynote address on "Rehabilitate Forest, Generate Income", followed by a presentation on "Good things are going to happen in Nan" by Dr. Wicharn Simachaya, Permanent Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, and Mr. Banthoon Lamsam, Chairman of the Board, KASIKORNBANK. The seminar also features a discussion on "Nan people to cohabit with forest in sustainable ways" by Mr. Attapol Charoenchansa, Director General of the Royal Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Wiboon Waewbandit, Deputy Provincial Governor of Nan, Mrs. Thikamporn Kongson, Chairperson of Community Administrative Council, Buayai Sub-district, Nanoi District and Mr. Thanat Baiya, Vice Chairman of Hug Muang Nan Foundation.
The participants include more than 400 officials from related agencies, community leaders and Nan people who gather to mobilize their knowledge and experience to find the guidelines and ways to genuinely stop deforestation in Nan. Moreover, the seminar is aimed at finding solutions for people to make a living with the forest. The operational guidelines will be shared with the young people to ensure that "Rakpanan" will continue in a sustainable manner.