RECOFTC joined partners in Bangkok on 20 March 2026 to mark the International Day of Forests at Lumphini Park, where 300 participants gathered under the theme ‘forest and economies’.
The event, organized by the Royal Forest Department and co‑hosted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, highlighted the role of forests in supporting Thailand’s green economy and climate commitments. Speakers stressed that forests are essential for biodiversity and carbon storage, and for jobs, local businesses and rural incomes when they are managed responsibly.
RECOFTC’s deputy executive director, Chandra Shekhar Silori, joined a panel discussion where he emphasized the importance of investing in forests through capacity building, youth engagement and stronger collaboration with the private sector. “These investments are critical to shaping resilient futures for our forests and supporting the long-term sustainability of the economies that depend on them,” he said.
Exhibitions and activities around the event grounds highlighted efforts to increase forest cover, restore degraded land and work with communities that rely on forests. RECOFTC had a booth showcasing our work on community forestry across Asia. We highlighted how non‑timber forest products and small forest enterprises can support household income while keeping forests intact and spoke with visitors who wanted to learn more about our work in the Asia-Pacific region.
We also organized a short video challenge, inviting visitors to our booth to share how forests support their families and communities. Through 15–30 second videos answering the question, “How do forests support your family’s or community’s economy?”, respondents highlighted a range of experiences. These included collecting forest products, welcoming tourists, farming and relying on forests for clean water and shade.
Those who shared their Reels on social media received Regional Model Forest Network‑Asia merchandise, turning brief exchanges at the booth into short, personal stories about why forests matter to them.
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Mayan Mojado is communication and engagement manager at RECOFTC.