General
Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Strengthens Coastal Community Partnerships
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) held a national workshop in Surat Thani to empower coastal communities as active partners in marine conservation.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) recently hosted a national workshop for coastal community networks from August 17–19, 2026, at the Banjong Buri Hotel in Surat Thani. The event was organized under the direction of Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin, who advocates for a people-centered approach to environmental management.
Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the DMCR, emphasized that sustainable marine conservation cannot be achieved by the government alone. He stated that coastal communities, who possess deep local knowledge and experience, must transition from being passive recipients of policy to active partners in planning, executing, and monitoring resource management in their respective areas.
For residents and travelers, this initiative highlights a shift toward more localized environmental stewardship. While the workshop focused on strengthening community capacity for the 2026 fiscal year, it remains to be seen how these collaborative frameworks will be integrated into daily coastal management practices and whether they will lead to visible changes in local conservation efforts. The government continues to encourage public participation as a core component of its strategy to protect Thailand’s marine ecosystems.