Bangchak Marks 22 Years of Caring for Phu Long Forest with “Forest Robe Offering for Lam Patao Watershed Conservation”

Continuing Forest Restoration through the Royal Initiatives of “Wet Forest” and “Khok Nong Na” Reflecting the Importance of Protecting Watersheds, Communities, the Mind, and the Dhamma

Recently, more than 70 Bangchak Group executives and employees, representatives from the Khon San Agricultural Cooperative service station, members of the Phu Long Forest Reforestation Project working group, volunteers, and local residents, led by Mrs. Gloyta Nathalang, Senior Executive Vice President of Sustainability Management and Corporate Communications, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, joined the annual tree-planting activity at Phu Long Forest, marking Bangchak’s 22nd consecutive year of reforestation efforts. This year, 1,000 additional trees were planted across 10 rai (approximately 1.6 hectares). Participants also joined the “Forest Robe Offering for Lam Patao Watershed Conservation” ceremony at Mahawan Forest Monastery in Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum Province, where Phra Paisal Visalo, Abbot of Sukato Forest Monastery, together with monks from Sukato and Mahawan Forest Monasteries, received the offerings.

Phu Long Forest is a watershed forest on the Phu Laen Kha mountain range, covering more than 4,000 rai (approximately 640 hectares). Bangchak has been a key community partner supporting the Lam Patao Watershed Reforestation Project since 2005. The forest has faced recurring wildfires, and in 2020, Bangchak adopted the “Wet Forest” royal initiative of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great as an approach to forest conservation and restoration. The initiative uses water to create firebreaks, increase moisture, and help reduce the severity and risk of wildfires, complemented by additional water retention areas based on the “Khok Nong Na” approach to maintain soil moisture and enhance biodiversity. More than 50 rai of Phu Long Forest has now been restored under these approaches.

As one of the longstanding partners supporting the restoration of the forest, Bangchak and the project working group continued to expand the Wet Forest area through additional tree planting, together with Phra Paisal Visalo, representatives from relevant organizations, local residents, volunteers, and supporting private-sector partners.

The 2026 Forest Robe Offering ceremony for Sukato Forest Monastery to support its forest conservation work. On this occasion, Phra Paisal Visalo thanked Bangchak for being a long-standing partner in caring for and protecting the forest. In his Dhamma teaching, he reflected on the broader meaning of forest conservation: “Protecting the forest is not only about protecting nature. It is about protecting our watersheds, our communities, our minds, and the Dhamma.” Forests provide water, food, and livelihoods that help sustain families and communities, while also offering peaceful surroundings for the practice of Dhamma.