Keywords Pyrite · Cation exchange capacity · Exchangeable bases · Drainage
system · Land use zonation
27.1 Introduction
Peat swamp in Thai dialect is dubbed as “Phru” by the Thai people in the southern
peninsula where most swamps exist. Since the beginning of civilization, peat swamp
areas in Thailand have been preserved and feared by men. Due to the permanent
waterlogged condition, these areas support pests and diseases which are highly
hazardous to human’s health. Therefore, early settlers weaved tales of demons and
ghosts living in the peat swamps to convey their potential dangers.
Nevertheless, due to the high rate of population pressure and urgent need of land
for food production, some areas of peatlands in Thailand were then used for
agriculture since they looked promising for the farmers or developers as they
provided flat terrain and ample supply of water. However, due to improper management, most of the reclaimed areas came to no fruition and became deteriorated (Dent
1986). In fact, considering the flora and fauna supported by the swamps, unfavorable
soil condition for crop growth, and the complexity of the ecosystem, these swamps
should be left as the last alternative for land exploitation. Regardless, attempts have
been made in Thailand for using the peat swamps and a number of management
problems have arisen. Therefore, as a case study, this paper presents the basic
information of the peat swamps in Thailand, problems concerning their utilization,
and the way to develop the proper management as a national strategy.
27.2 Distribution of Peat Swamps in Thailand
The total areas of peat swamps in Thailand comprise about 60,331 ha, almost all of
them occupy the coastal plain of Thai peninsula. About 69% of which (41,895 ha) is
found entirely in Narathiwat Province located along the east coast of the peninsula
near the Malaysian border (Fig. 27.1). The upper boundary begins at approximately
12
50
0 N running the southwest and southeast coast for about 750 km long.
Geomorphologically, the shoreline features the Gulf of Thailand on the east coast,
contrasting with that along the Andaman Sea on the west coast. Coastal plains and
stretches of long beach ridges, swales, brackish lagoons or lake, peat swamps, and
wide flat areas of fine-textured deposits are the common physiography of the eastern
shoreline or the emergent shoreline. On the contrary, the west coast is quite irregular
726
P. Vijarnsorn
system · Land use zonation
27.1 Introduction
Peat swamp in Thai dialect is dubbed as “Phru” by the Thai people in the southern
peninsula where most swamps exist. Since the beginning of civilization, peat swamp
areas in Thailand have been preserved and feared by men. Due to the permanent
waterlogged condition, these areas support pests and diseases which are highly
hazardous to human’s health. Therefore, early settlers weaved tales of demons and
ghosts living in the peat swamps to convey their potential dangers.
Nevertheless, due to the high rate of population pressure and urgent need of land
for food production, some areas of peatlands in Thailand were then used for
agriculture since they looked promising for the farmers or developers as they
provided flat terrain and ample supply of water. However, due to improper management, most of the reclaimed areas came to no fruition and became deteriorated (Dent
1986). In fact, considering the flora and fauna supported by the swamps, unfavorable
soil condition for crop growth, and the complexity of the ecosystem, these swamps
should be left as the last alternative for land exploitation. Regardless, attempts have
been made in Thailand for using the peat swamps and a number of management
problems have arisen. Therefore, as a case study, this paper presents the basic
information of the peat swamps in Thailand, problems concerning their utilization,
and the way to develop the proper management as a national strategy.
27.2 Distribution of Peat Swamps in Thailand
The total areas of peat swamps in Thailand comprise about 60,331 ha, almost all of
them occupy the coastal plain of Thai peninsula. About 69% of which (41,895 ha) is
found entirely in Narathiwat Province located along the east coast of the peninsula
near the Malaysian border (Fig. 27.1). The upper boundary begins at approximately
12
50
0 N running the southwest and southeast coast for about 750 km long.
Geomorphologically, the shoreline features the Gulf of Thailand on the east coast,
contrasting with that along the Andaman Sea on the west coast. Coastal plains and
stretches of long beach ridges, swales, brackish lagoons or lake, peat swamps, and
wide flat areas of fine-textured deposits are the common physiography of the eastern
shoreline or the emergent shoreline. On the contrary, the west coast is quite irregular
726
P. Vijarnsorn