Driving the “Valuable Timber Communities Initiative” in Accordance with the Cabinet Resolution
16 July 2026
On 18 September 2018, the Cabinet of Thailand approved the implementation of the Valuable Timber Communities Initiative, with the goal of establishing 20,000 valuable timber communities nationwide within a ten-year period. The resolution also called for the revision of relevant laws, regulations, and administrative measures to facilitate the effective implementation of the initiative.
The initiative is being implemented through close collaboration among the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), the Bioeconomy Development Office (Public Organization) (BEDO), the Royal Forest Department (RFD), and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). As part of this collaborative effort, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) plays a key role in advancing the research-driven mechanism for “Research for Strengthening and Sustainability” through the following approaches:
1. Research and Innovation Grants to Advance Knowledge, Technology and Innovation
NRCT provides research and innovation grants to generate new knowledge, technologies and innovations in key areas, including:
1) Expanding green spaces, such as:
o Planting valuable timber species and economic crops in combination with
mycorrhizal mushroom cultivation.
o Managing the cultivation of valuable timber trees along waterways to support
ecosystem conservation.
2) Promoting income generation and value addition for valuable timber, such as:
o Timber management and valuation.
o Lac cultivation on rain trees (Samanea saman) to enhance economic returns.
o Integrated processing and value-added product development from sappanwood
(Caesalpinia sappan), a valuable timber species.
o Developing prototype small-scale housing structures using laminated teak timber
from widely spaced plantation-grown trees.
3) Conserving green spaces for sustainable ecological balance, such as:
o Conserving and enhancing the value of indigenous Syzygium cumini (Java plum)
resources.
o Supporting sustainable conservation and utilization of local forest resources.
2. National “Valuable Timber Community” Recognition Programme
NRCT organizes the National “Valuable Timber Community” Recognition Programme to encourage and motivate communities to apply appropriate knowledge, technologies, and innovations in developing sustainable valuable timber communities. The programme promotes knowledge sharing among communities, supports the development of community-based products, and enhances local income-generating opportunities. It also strengthens community management and expands collaborative networks to improve livelihoods and ensure sustainable economic development for people in local communities.
