few years later, the yield became very low and many places had to be abandoned. For
the time being, the most promising crop selection is still unknown and it is expected
to be rather limited.
Impractical Uses of Heavy Machines Since peat soils have such a low bearing
capacity, the use of the ordinary heavy machines is impractical. At present, there are
no appropriate machines for cultivation of the peat soils in Thailand. In fact, research
on this aspect is badly needed in order to solve the physical and labor problems as
well as to reduce the cost of crop production. However, such a research has to be
intensified to make the use of the machines economically feasible.
It should be noted that the construction of roads with common road filling
materials such as lateritic gravels in the reclaimed peatlands have been exposed to
some construction and maintenance problems due to weak stability of the soil and
subsidence. As a consequence, the cost of road construction and maintenance has
increased at least 3 times more in comparison to that of the ordinary road on the
mineral soil.
27.7.2 National Management Strategy
In conclusion, the peat by itself has relatively low agricultural potential and needs
high monetary input as well as the appropriate technical work for reclamation.
Economically speaking, these peatlands should leave “untouched.”
Unfortunately, due to the urgent need of land for agriculture, some peat swamps
in Thailand, especially those in Narathiwat Province, namely the Bacho Swamp,
Sapom Swamp, Kab Daeng Swamp, Piliang Swamp, and some parts of To Daeng
Swamp have been cleared for agricultural uses. The drainage system has been put in
various places as well. Nevertheless, the agricultural development in Narathiwat
peatlands is still far behind the objectives. Therefore, the following potentially
appropriate management strategies are necessary to be implemented.
Establishment of Peatland Zonation It is recommended to legally establish a
peatland zonation (Fig. 27.15). For instance, the areas in which the natural swamp
forest in the southern portion of the To Daeng swamp has not yet been disturbed
should be preserved. However, its preservation does not necessarily mean that the
area must remain untouched under any circumstances. It can be used by the local
people for fishing or collecting some fruits, e.g. Salacca. For the areas in which the
swamp forest is partially disturbed and no reclamation project commenced, they
should be rehabilitated to its natural state. However, this zone can be used as
commercial woodland if necessary. Nevertheless, proper utilization of this zone
should be conducted without deteriorating the environment. This zone can be
designated as the zone for rehabilitation or conservation.
For the areas in which most reclamation projects have already been conducted,
they should be used as the agricultural land. Fairly high monetary input for reclamation is required to realize the agriculture use of peat swamp. This zone can be
27 Sustainable Management of Peatland in Thailand
745
the time being, the most promising crop selection is still unknown and it is expected
to be rather limited.
Impractical Uses of Heavy Machines Since peat soils have such a low bearing
capacity, the use of the ordinary heavy machines is impractical. At present, there are
no appropriate machines for cultivation of the peat soils in Thailand. In fact, research
on this aspect is badly needed in order to solve the physical and labor problems as
well as to reduce the cost of crop production. However, such a research has to be
intensified to make the use of the machines economically feasible.
It should be noted that the construction of roads with common road filling
materials such as lateritic gravels in the reclaimed peatlands have been exposed to
some construction and maintenance problems due to weak stability of the soil and
subsidence. As a consequence, the cost of road construction and maintenance has
increased at least 3 times more in comparison to that of the ordinary road on the
mineral soil.
27.7.2 National Management Strategy
In conclusion, the peat by itself has relatively low agricultural potential and needs
high monetary input as well as the appropriate technical work for reclamation.
Economically speaking, these peatlands should leave “untouched.”
Unfortunately, due to the urgent need of land for agriculture, some peat swamps
in Thailand, especially those in Narathiwat Province, namely the Bacho Swamp,
Sapom Swamp, Kab Daeng Swamp, Piliang Swamp, and some parts of To Daeng
Swamp have been cleared for agricultural uses. The drainage system has been put in
various places as well. Nevertheless, the agricultural development in Narathiwat
peatlands is still far behind the objectives. Therefore, the following potentially
appropriate management strategies are necessary to be implemented.
Establishment of Peatland Zonation It is recommended to legally establish a
peatland zonation (Fig. 27.15). For instance, the areas in which the natural swamp
forest in the southern portion of the To Daeng swamp has not yet been disturbed
should be preserved. However, its preservation does not necessarily mean that the
area must remain untouched under any circumstances. It can be used by the local
people for fishing or collecting some fruits, e.g. Salacca. For the areas in which the
swamp forest is partially disturbed and no reclamation project commenced, they
should be rehabilitated to its natural state. However, this zone can be used as
commercial woodland if necessary. Nevertheless, proper utilization of this zone
should be conducted without deteriorating the environment. This zone can be
designated as the zone for rehabilitation or conservation.
For the areas in which most reclamation projects have already been conducted,
they should be used as the agricultural land. Fairly high monetary input for reclamation is required to realize the agriculture use of peat swamp. This zone can be
27 Sustainable Management of Peatland in Thailand
745