Overview

The Thai Arboriculture Association (TAA) was established to contribute to the development of arboriculture, or the care and management of large trees, using knowledge, skills, and technologies to meet international standards and achieve maximum efficiency. Since its founding in 2017, the association has focused on fostering cooperation between the government, especially the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the private sector, and the public, to promote sustainable tree care and develop standards for tree care experts, as well as to expand its network across Thailand.

Since 2018, the Thai Arboriculture Association has been collaborating with the Big Trees Foundation and affiliated organizations to continuously organize arboriculture activities with the BMA, inviting their staff to participate free of charge. These activities include basic arboriculture training, tree health assessment and rehabilitation in public parks and along sidewalks, and the exchange of skills and academic work. Currently, new innovations such as air spades for root excavation and rehabilitation, Resistograph for wood resistance testing, and Treeplotter software for tree health assessment and database management are being utilized.

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Problem

In May 2024, a tree branch broke during a storm on Wireless Road. The association was contacted by the Public Parks Office, who relayed a request from Bangkok Governor Dr. Chadchart Sittipunt to mobilize the network to help restore the trees on Wireless Road. The incident also led several private organizations to reach out to the association, expressing their willingness to support the tree restoration efforts on Wireless Road as well. The trees on Wireless Road, such as the Rain Tree and the Padauk, are old, beautiful, and distinctive landmarks of the Ploenchit area.

Mission

Several parties wished to contribute to the care of the trees in the Ploenchit area, leading to joint field activities on June 4, June 24, July 11, and July 26, 2024. Meetings were held among various agencies, including the Public Parks Office and the Pathumwan District Office of Bangkok, as well as some private sector entities such as One Bangkok, Steel Pin Company (tree support equipment), the Thai Arboriculture Association, the Netherlands Embassy, ThaiBev, P Landscape, Socialgiver, and the Pathumwan District Office. They initiated the “Integrated Large Tree Management Project: Wireless Road, Pathumwan District” to mobilize support from different organizations to care for the trees on Wireless Road in close collaboration with the Pathumwan District Office. This project aims to build a proactive network for integrated large tree management.

According to a survey by volunteer arborists in collaboration with the Pathumwan District Office, there are a total of 466 trees on Wireless Road, including 363 Padauk trees, 43 Rain Trees, and several other species that require close care. Many of these trees are over 100 years old, but some may not be suitable for the current environment. Some trees may need to be supported, while others might need to be removed and replaced to ensure the safety of the public and road users. Any decisions will be carefully considered by experts and the district office, with notifications to the public given at least 7 days before any action is taken. Although caring for large trees is challenging, we are all committed to working together to preserve the beauty and lushness of Wireless Road as a historical landmark.

Your Impact

Every donation made will be supporting

1. Surveying and assessing the health of trees by professional arborists
2. Supporting trees as necessary
3. Pruning and regularly monitoring tree health
4. Installing wireless tree tags to track tree health online
5. Creating storyboards about the trees on Wireless Road