Thailand turns to mangrove carbon credits despite scepticism
Watchara Kumpai, 68, spends most of his time in boots, stomping through coastal mangrove forests in southern Thailand.
He used to work in the tin mining and logging industries that contributed to mangrove loss, until all concessions in mangrove areas were cancelled in 1991. Today, Watchara is dedicated to restoring and protecting these vital ecosystems in Ranong province, as Thailand aims to restore 500,000 rai (80,000 hectares) for carbon credits by 2031.
The Bang Rin sub-district, where Watchara lives, was among the first of 98 communities to join Thailand’s Coastal Community Mangrove for Carbon Credit programme in March 2023. His conservation group protects mangrove patches scattered around three villages in the sub-district, and has so far registered 1,881 rai (301 hectares) of mangrove to generate carbon credits.
“The project is good because we receive additional money for the communities to spend on mangrove restoration,” says Watchara.
Nicha Wachpanich, Dialogue Earth
