Conservation Treatment of Lang Suan River by Participation Community of Hat Yai Sub-district Langsuan District Chumphon Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were (1) to study the context of the Lang Suan River community amid social and environmental change, and (2) to develop community-based guidelines for the conservation and restoration of the Lang Suan River. A qualitative research methodology was employed, with an emphasis on participatory action research (PAR). The findings revealed that, in the past, Had Yai Subdistrict one of the subdistricts in Lang Suan District was rich in natural resources, and the residents lived a simple, traditional lifestyle. However, since the implementation of Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Plan in 1961, the area has undergone rapid material development. This transformation has led to changes in natural resources, traditions, culture, occupations, the local economy, and social values, resulting in various community problems, particularly the deterioration of the Lang Suan River, the community’s main water source. To address these issues, the Lang Suan River Conservation Network was established as a community-based initiative. The conservation and restoration guidelines developed by the network focused on three key areas: (1) managing waste and sewage by promoting activities that prevent garbage, pollutants, and chemicals from entering the river; (2) preventing encroachment on riverbanks by restricting construction near the river and preserving tree lines along both sides; and (3) conserving aquatic species by prohibiting illegal fishing methods, including the use of toxins or fishing during spawning seasons. These three strategies were implemented through five key measures: raising public awareness, prevention, suppression, restoration, and continuous monitoring. Additionally, a Conservation and Restoration Handbook was developed, containing information on the Lang Suan River community context, the Lang Suan River Conservation Network, and sustainable guidelines for long-term river preservation.