Even if you can't go to the forest this weekend, the forest will come to you, owing to the second edition of the "People & Forest Fair", which will be held on Sunday at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
This year, the fair comes to town with its share of collaborative artworks and compelling talks on the role forests can play in sustaining Thailand's ecosystem as well as supporting local initiatives and livelihoods.
Organised by RECOFTC (The Centre for People and Forests) and Big Trees, the event will cover aspects of a forest landscape restoration campaign activists wish to see implemented in the near future.
As of today, owing to urbanisation and industrialisation, forest areas only represent a little over 30% of the country's land -- whereas the national goal was set at 40%. Not only does this affect the environment and ecosystem, but locals who had been living in harmony with the forest are also under threat. Learn how the people and the forest mutually benefit each other and find out how you can become a part of the solution to protect and restore forest.
On Sunday, from 10am onwards, two seminars will be held covering these themes, with diverse speakers ranging from academics, local residents of concerned areas and renowned activists such as Prayong Doklamyai of the Northern Development Foundation.
Alongside the talks, lighter activities will be held as well -- such as the exhibition of a "collaborative" art show you can take part in. Weave a "forest quilt" or just grab a pencil and help complete the picture of how forest land should be restored in the company of local artists from Chiang Rai and Nan provinces.
A fair wouldn't be complete without food and a mini-market place either. The fair brings to you locally-produced goods from all over Thailand -- from the North to the South -- including food, drinks, jewellery and clothing, plants from remote parts of the country, wares and utensils.
Visit recoftc.org or their Facebook page "Forest Fair #2".
