Ananda Mahidol scholarship students brainstorm wildfire prevention methods to support sustainable national development through three main approaches: utilizing research and technology, strengthening communities, and communicating via social media and storytelling to instill values in children.
On 15 May, reporters reported that the Ananda Mahidol Foundation Scholarship Recipients Club convened to develop a wildfire prevention project, combining cooperation across all sectors to find sustainable solutions for Thailand. Their work focuses on three areas: 1. Research using Remote Sensing technology to survey heat spots through satellite imagery; 2. Communication with society via a Facebook page called 'Fa Fun' and YouTube program 'Punpunya,' while also empowering youth through educational projects; and 3. Creating a set of storybooks to instill awareness in children.ApplicationTracking burn scars and strengthening communities; 2. Communicating with society through the Facebook page named 'Fa Fun' andYouTubewith the program called 'Punpunya,' along with inspiring youth through various educational initiatives; and 3. Producing a set of three storybooks titled 'Fire Axe Reduces Fire, No PM 2.5 Dust,' comprising 1. 'Wildfire Is Scary,' 2. 'Don’t Burn the Rice Field,' and3. 'City Dust Is a Big Problem,' which are distributed free to kindergarten and primary school students nationwide./nationwide.
Professor Dr. Apiniti Chotisangkasa, a civil engineering professor at Kasetsart University and a recipient of the Ananda Mahidol Foundation Scholarship in Agriculture in 2000, currently serving as president of the Ananda Mahidol Foundation Scholarship Recipients Club, said the foundation was established in 1955 by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX) to commemorate his elder brother, King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII), who was deeply interested in education. The foundation aims to develop talented and virtuous individuals through graduate scholarships, similar to the Royal Scholarship established since the reign of King Rama V. These scholarships have no binding obligations, allowing recipients to return and develop the country in their own expertise. The foundation supports eight fields: 1. Medicine, 2. Science, 3. Engineering, 4. Agriculture, 5. Law, 6. Arts, 7. Dentistry, and 8. Veterinary Medicine. The royal vision emphasizes that national development must start with developing people, and graduates are encouraged to engage in activities benefiting the nation.Ananda MahidolThe scholarship selects academically talented and ethical individuals to study at the graduate level, similar to the royal scholarship that has existed since King Rama V’s reign. These scholarships have no binding obligations, allowing recipients to return to develop the country in their own expertise. There are eight fields: 1. Medicine, 2. Science, 3. Engineering, 4. Agriculture, 5. Law, 6. Arts, 7. Dentistry, and 8. Veterinary Medicine. The royal intention is that national development must begin with developing people, and those who graduate are encouraged to engage in activities together for the country.
The Ananda Mahidol Foundation Scholarship Recipients Club was formed by graduates of the foundation who conduct beneficial activities. For example, when Mr. Prathome Maiklad, former club president, and many senior members had the opportunity to bring scholarship students to pay respect to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, the king showed deep interest in many issues, including greenhouse gases, climate change, and carbon dioxide absorption by trees. The club also produces educational materials for the public, an effort that has continued through leadership transitions, including during the PM 2.5 dust crisis. On 2 April 2019, Professor Dr. Charun Mahatumrat, then club president, had the opportunity to meet Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who encouraged the club to develop projects addressing dust problems. This led to the establishment of a committee focused on this issue, continuing through the tenure of Dr. Jen Channarong, former club president, who actively conducted fieldwork.
Professor Dr. Apiniti added that regarding wildfires, which are a major source of dust problems in Thailand, the club works on three fronts: 1. Research. Dr. Jen Channarong began using Remote Sensing technology to detect heat spots via satellite images in Ban Kho, Li District, Lamphun Province, a community relocated due to the construction of Bhumibol Dam in Tak Province, forming the Ban Kho Sandbox project. They developedan applicationcalled 'Tracking Burn Scars,' a system to monitor open-area fires using high-resolution satellite imagery to pinpoint fire scars and analyze burned areas, led by Associate Professor Lt. Col. Dr. Sorawit Supavet.ApplicationSupported by the National Research Office (NRCT), research revealed that some wildfires stem from social issues like drug addiction leading to forest burning or lack of employment causing intentional fires. Additionally, there is a project on carbon credit mechanisms—rights derived from reducing or sequesteringgreenhouse gasesthrough certified greenhouse gas emission reduction projects—which generate income to support forest conservation under Professor Dr. Poonpipop Kasemsap. The club also promotes livelihoods for villagers, assistance with crops, soil, fertilizers, groundwater, community forests, tourism, handicrafts, and more./2. Raising awareness through communication on the Facebook page 'Fa Fun,' educating the public about dust and running a
YouTubeprogram called 'Punpunya,' and also distributing information viaTikTok,providing knowledge about environmental issues, natural resource conservation, and technologies. This has been ongoing for over two years, led by Dr. Ratiporn Munprom and Dr. Thiti Sutthayut, with support from Mesanee Satavarinthu, senior producer at Channel 9 TV. They conduct live broadcasts twice monthly on the page and organize 'Punpunya On the Road' activities, enabling scholarship students to apply and share knowledge with local communities. Meanwhile, Privy Councillor Dr. Kasem Wattanasai has provided knowledge on preparing youth to face global warming, Professor Dr. Veeraphan Kowitwutikul on climate change impacts on health, and Associate Professor Dr. Thanaboon Satcha-anantakun on transitioning from global warming to future and sustainable food systems.3. Education and youth development aim to prepare young people to face climate threats through an integrated home-temple-school approach. Target schools include Rama 9 Kanjanapisek School in Huai Khwang District and Anan (Pala-U) School in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Projects include mushroom cultivation and others. Previously, a set of storybooks titled 'Fire Axe Reduces Fire, No PM 2.5 Dust' consisting of three books—1. 'Wildfire Is Scary,' 2. 'Don’t Burn the Rice Field,' and 3. 'City Dust Is a Big Problem'—were distributed free to kindergarten and primary students nationwide. Associate Professor Dr. Woraporn Sukumwasi leads this project, supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). This year, Dr. Rattana Saelao will lead teams in field activities under the Youth Power Green Seedling project at Wat Thung Lad Ya School in Mueang District, Kanchanaburi, and Ban Huai Tom Chaiya Wongsa Uppatham School in Li District, Lamphun, to promote knowledge, skills, and youth participation in wildfire prevention and reduction.
The president of the Ananda Mahidol Foundation Scholarship Recipients Club added that these projects are committed to conserving natural resources and improving quality of life for the public in the long term. They embody the royal intention of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great to empower scholarship students to use their knowledge and abilities to enhance people's well-being, following the royal principle of nature helping nature for sustainable national development.