Severe erosion during the 2024 monsoon season had disrupted transportation and threatened local livelihoods, Mr Chalermchai said during his inspection at Sai Kaew Beach in Sirinath National Park on Saturday (May 3).
Mr Chalermchai announced a short-term solution of installing zigzag wooden fences to trap sand naturally. “This approach has already restored 30–50 metres of beach. We’ll expand this model with further tree planting to stabilise the coastline,” he said.
Mr Chalermchai also visited the Andaman Sea and Coastal Resources Research Center at Cape Panwa to review marine conservation efforts and progress on the new Thai Marine Life Museum, honouring Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya.
The centre has already rescued over 800 stranded marine animals since 2019 and now operates advanced nurseries for endangered species like leatherback turtles and leopard sharks.
“The museum will be Southeast Asia’s first marine life archive of this scale, with over 200,000 samples and more than 250 new species. It’s a vital hub for research, education, and awareness,” Mr Chalermchai said.
Mr Chalermchai arrived in Phuket after a visit to Trang, where he praised the success of measures to restore dugong habitats and local officials’ efforts to promote public participation in resource conservation.
Officials from the Marine National Park Study and Research Center reported the sighting of 25 dugongs feeding on seagrass around Koh Libong and Koh Muk.
“This is clear evidence of ecosystem recovery. The dugongs included mothers with calves, indicating active reproduction,” Mr Chalermchai said.
“This is a major sign of progress,” he added, crediting the National Parks Department, local communities, and conservation groups for their coordinated efforts since 2024 to tackle the dugong and seagrass crisis.
“We must keep working together to protect these species and preserve seagrass meadows to ensure the dugong’s survival in Thai waters,” he concluded.