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 Waiting
Moment
Throughout
the past four years, every person involved in the mission to conserve
the country's valuable plant species on Samaesarn Island had been
waiting for the day when they would have the opportunity to present
a review of the past work and achievements to Her Royal Highness
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the revered Chairman of the Royally-initiated
Plant Genetics Conservation Project at Samaesarn Island. As that
special day approached, everybody from the different concerned
agencies wholeheartedly joined together in preparing the reception,
the exhibitions, and the signboards, to welcome the royal visitor.
Along with sweat and their panting for breath, smiles were seen
on every face knowing that the long-waited moment for an audience
with Her Royal Highness was becoming real. By chance, one might
even have noticed fish swimming and jumping above the water's
surface, while the trees waved their branches as if they were
joining in celebrating this happy time. The scene made the site
indescribably lively.
Looking
back to September 3, 1998 on this very island, one could recall
the royal Chairman granting initiatives for the Samaesarn mission
as follows: to create a project with great biodiversity visible
from the top of the mountain down to the sea; to collect plant
species around Samaesarn Island in the project; to study the uses
of medicinal plants; to ensure enough water source for consumption;
and to draw in the participation of the community and youth in
the project so as to create a conscience for conservation. This
was the reason for the eagerness and willing preparation one witnessed
on September 27, 2002, on Samaesarn Island.
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A dignified Sea Fox high speed patrol boat belonging to
the Naval Special Warfare Group steered between Aow Luek
Harbor (around H.T.M.S. Chakrinaruebet harbor) and Samaesarn
Harbor several times that day to bring civil officers and
concerned persons to Samaesarn Island. Larger groups of
passengers numbering hundreds, including reporters, were
brought to Samaesarn Island in the morning by the Navy's
large landing-craft.
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Aerial view of Samaesarn
Island
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The
delegation from the Office of the Royal Development Projects
Board traveled together with several other senior Navy
officers to Samaesarn Island. The ride only took ten minutes
and the whole group was standing at the dock on Samaesarn
Island. Although we witnessed the chaos, we could feel
an air of order, stillness, and waiting.
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An
Obvious Change
As we
stood on the island and observed the surroundings, we saw significant
progress in the construction of basic infrastructures. The constructions
were obviously done under strict supervision and caution, with
due consideration to the impact on the environment. They emphasized
a harmony with nature and environmental-friendliness. The constructions
which were completed included a pier, a freshwater system, a water
source to support plant conservation, an electricity system, and
a nursery for rare or nearly extinct plant species. Besides the
progress on Samaesarn Island, we also learned that the construction
of a water source and a nursery for nearly extinct plant species
was also done on an adjacent island, Rad Island, to be equipped
for developing into another conservation work.
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Her Royal Highness
releasing baby turtles to the sea
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Her Royal Highness
inquiring and taking notes of information learned from every
site
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The
Discovery
| First Site
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The first spot Her Royal Highness reached on the island was
the helicopter landing-place, situated on an area which the Naval
Special Warfare Group called Luk Lom beach. Four years ago, on
this beach, Her Royal Highness had a chance to stay overnight
and then at night, saw hawksbill turtles coming ashore to lay
their eggs. Over one hundred navy cadets were standing together
with their senior Navy officers, other civil officers and the
working team, anxiously waiting to welcome Her Royal Highness.
Although it was just a little after midday, nobody felt the afternoon
heat because the clouds frequently hid the sun and the cool breeze
constantly blew our way. |
| Second Site
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Exhibitions were set up at 30 spots along the trail up the mountain,
and at the beginning of the trail our delegation eagerly waited
for Her Royal Highness' arrival. Hearts pounded when we heard
the sound of the helicopter approaching. Radio communications
between the Navy officers let us know that the helicopter had
reached the island, which meant it was almost time for an audience
to present the overview of the project. This second site follows
a trail up the mountain for observing and gathering information
about plant species, as well as the new construction. The total
distance measures 4,600 meters, which for this occasion was reduced
to 1,200 meters. Exhibitions were set up along the trail. The
size varied, depending on the amount of information each exhibition
site entails. Each spot reveals new discoveries on the island,
including the type and species of all living things from other
islands e.g. 21 islands in Sattaheep area, 5 islands in the Gulf
of Thailand, and 2 islands in the Andaman Sea. Amazingly, biological
and physical resources were discovered. For the plant resources,
700 types of assorted and rare plants were found with their plant
genetics collected in the form of seed, branch, trunk, and roots.
Examples of the plant types include eaglewood, Myristica iners
Blume, Memecylon plebejum, Iron wood, Dimocarpus var. obtusus,
and Dracaena loureiri. Other items found include fossils, manganese,
and gliding lizard. More importantly, the new specie of Amphidromus
principalis which had not been discovered anywhere on earth before,
is exhibited here along the trail. |
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Her Royal Highness proceeded to each of the exhibition sites,
she inquired about both academic and general information and we
would occasionally hear her laugh among the crowd. Her Royal Highness
kindly shared with us stories from her experiences at various
places which were both entertaining and academically informative.
Everyone felt especially high-spirited from both the joy and knowledge
received from Her Royal Highness. |
Exhibition site of the spiders
found on Samaesarn Island
Map showing the growth of mangrove
forest which is illustrated
by a miniature model set up in the actual area
Heart
of the Conservation
In addition to
the working team, officials from other agencies, namely the Royal
Thai Navy, the Royal Forest Department, and the Royal Irrigation
Department, also work jointly to successfully protect the country's
endemic species from others claiming possession of their origin.
And for all the Royal Development Projects concerning the development
on environmental conservation, water is one of the important elements
that is necessary for life. When Her Royal Highness proceeded to
a point where the Samaesarn Reservoir was visible, she stopped to
inquire attentively as usual about its storage capacity, the capacity
of the water delivery system, and the process of the construction.
When the procession
finally reached the top of the highest hill on Samaesarn Island,
a stop was made in front of a bronze metal plate with an inscription
stating "The Navy works to protect the national security"
on which Her Royal Highness anointed and sprinkled sacred water.
The Navy had this bronze metal plate made with a thorough understanding
of the guidelines for implementing the Royally-initiated Plant Genetics
Conservation Project about which Her Royal Highness graciously advised
the Navy's Commander in Chief on May 31, 2001. Her Royal Highness
kindly explained that the work of conserving marine natural resources
which are diversely abundant is one of the important tasks of the
Navy in protecting the sovereignty and maintaining the national
security in the water.
Success
On that day
before leaving the island, Her Royal Highness went down to Look
Lom beach to release baby hawksbill turtles back to the sea. The
Naval Special Warfare Group had incubated the eggs laid by mother
turtles four years ago and had properly cared for them. After that
Her Royal Highness returned to Bangkok by helicopter. Amid the fading
sounds of the helicopter, it was certain that everyone present still
heard the charming voice of Her Royal Highness complimenting the
working team, especially the Navy, for their outstanding job on
the project. More importantly, Her Royal Highness asked everyone
concerned to continue the Samaesarn mission and confirmed that carrying
out the Plant Genetics Conservation Project on just one island is
enough to protect the sovereignty of the nation.
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Part of the exhibition on "Discoveries
on the Island"
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