Background

In 2002, most of the coast of Ranong Province was declared a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. These wetlands are outlined below and their locations shown on map below.

1. Kra Buri River Estuary (Ngao sub-district, Muang District, Ranong Province) – a 193 km²estuary of inter-tidal mud-flats, mangroves and sea-grass beds.
2. Ranong Biosphere Reserve (Ranong Province) – an area of 30,000 ha., established in 1997 and comprising 22,600 ha., of mature mangrove forest. The remaining area comprises sea-grass beds, inter-tidal flats and coastal forests as well as agricultural land and abandoned tin mining areas. This site is also a part of the ngao National Park.
3. Kapoe (Kaper) Estuary (Kapoe District, Ranong Province) – a 27 km² estuary of inter-tidal sand-flats, mangroves and open water.
4. Laem Son National Park (extending from Muang and Kapoe Districts in Ranong Province to Kuraburi District in Phang-Nga Province) – a 315 km² coastal zone that contains part of the Kapoe Estuary, but also coastal, sandy beaches, coral reefs and offshore islands.

On 14^th August 2002 the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance formally designated the Kaper Estuary - Laemson Marine National Park - Kraburi Estuary as Ramsar Site No. 1183. The 122,046 ha area includes all or parts of the four wetlands listed above.

Overview of Kaper Estuary and Laem Son National Park

This large (27.55 km²), tidal estuary dominates the coastal zone of southern Ranong Province. The estuary of the Kapoe River is fringed by inter-tidal mangrove forests and the sheltered estuary is characterized by numerous low sandy and muddy inter-tidal flats (exposed on low tides). It is the combination of productive mangrove forests and abundant inter-tidal feeding and roosting areas that make this wetland key for migratory shorebirds and other biodiversity. The area at the mouth of the Kapoe Estuary is also a part of the Laem Son National Park. OEPP (1999) describe this site as having a diverse mix of mangrove plant species, including Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata, Avicennia spp.,Ceriops spp., and Xylocarpus spp. - typical of west coast, estuarine mangroves in the Thai-Malay Peninsula. At least 50 species of bird have been recorded, of which 38 are resident. Two Globally threatened species are known to occur (Malaysian Plover and Masked Finfoot), but neither were recorded during September 2007. In addition the site supports a further six Globally Vulnerable bird species and four Near-threatened species (OEPP, 1999).

The local people rely on the coastal resources and agricultural production (cultivation of rubber, fruits and palm). There are at least 59 fishing communities around the estuary, at least 2,853 households are fishermen and 376 households derive income from coastal aquaculture.

With financial support from federal Minsitry for Economic Cooperation, One World, Mangrove for the Future through IUCN Thailand, Wetlands International-Thailand Office is implementing the Supporting Community Based Coastal Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation at the Kaper Estuary and Laem Son National Park, Ranong Province, the Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Site). The project aims to promote wise use and conservation of costal wetlands biodiversity to generate benefits at local, regional and global levels in relation to biodiversity and human development and with requirements of the Ramsar Convention.

In previous phase (January-December 2009), the project focused on awareness and capacity building activities in order to enhance awareness and build support within the Thai society for wetland conservation and the implementation of Thailand's obligations to the Ramsar Convention. Activities included organizing trainings, workshops and production of awareness material. The project also through stakeholders participatory process prepared community wetland management plan.

The project is now seeking fund to continue activities at the site to support the implementation of the wetland management plan and generating income for local communities.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Pratheep Meekatitham at: pratheep180@gmail.com