China-Thailand Nature Education Centre Opens in Phang Nga to Boost Mangrove Conservation
New centre supports joint research, education and youth engagement under China-Thailand joint marine ecosystems lab
In Phang Nga province, Thailand’s southern coast, a newly inaugurated China-Thailand nature education centre has opened at Thung Pho Wittaya School, marking a milestone in bilateral environmental cooperation.
The centre was launched on November 7, 2025, under the framework of the China‑Thailand Joint Laboratory for Climate and Marine Ecosystems, and is intended to serve as a platform for scientific exchange, community education and mangrove conservation in one of Thailand’s most ecological significant zones.
The project is a joint effort between the First Institute of Oceanography of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).
During the inaugural class, students learned how mangrove forests help buffer storms, support biodiversity and stabilise coastlines.
Chinese researcher Cong Bolin underscored China’s experience in mangrove restoration and emphasised that youth understanding of these ecosystems is key to long-term conservation.
Thai forestry technical officer Disaorn Aitthiariyasunthon highlighted the relevance of the teaching for local communities and praised the centre as a “wonderful beginning”.
The location is significant: the centre lies within or adjacent to Ao Phang‑Nga National Park, which contains one of Thailand’s largest and best-preserved mangrove zones and was earlier recognised by joint Chinese-Thai authorities as a demonstration area for mangrove collaborative protection.
The centre broadens the cooperation from research into public education.
It accommodates interactive student lessons, expert-led talks and hands-on activities aimed at converting complex scientific concepts into accessible formats for children and local residents.
In planting this education hub, both nations underscore their commitment to translating conservation research into community awareness and action.
The centre also coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, the Chinese side describes it as a symbol of “profound friendship” and a bridge for future collaborative work in marine ecosystems.
Planned future initiatives include joint workshops, restoration technology exchanges and community-based mangrove assessment programmes.
For students such as high-schooler Saranphat Choogumlang, the new centre offers a clear pathway: “I learned that mangroves are vital ‘nurseries’ for many aquatic animals.
If I grow up to be a scientist, I would like to study their physical and biological characteristics,” he said.
The centre thus serves both environmental and educational goals, aiming to ignite local curiosity and inspire the next generation of conservationists.
It stands as a concrete commitment to preserving Thailand’s coastal ecosystems while strengthening international collaboration at the grassroots level.
The centre was launched on November 7, 2025, under the framework of the China‑Thailand Joint Laboratory for Climate and Marine Ecosystems, and is intended to serve as a platform for scientific exchange, community education and mangrove conservation in one of Thailand’s most ecological significant zones.
The project is a joint effort between the First Institute of Oceanography of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).
During the inaugural class, students learned how mangrove forests help buffer storms, support biodiversity and stabilise coastlines.
Chinese researcher Cong Bolin underscored China’s experience in mangrove restoration and emphasised that youth understanding of these ecosystems is key to long-term conservation.
Thai forestry technical officer Disaorn Aitthiariyasunthon highlighted the relevance of the teaching for local communities and praised the centre as a “wonderful beginning”.
The location is significant: the centre lies within or adjacent to Ao Phang‑Nga National Park, which contains one of Thailand’s largest and best-preserved mangrove zones and was earlier recognised by joint Chinese-Thai authorities as a demonstration area for mangrove collaborative protection.
The centre broadens the cooperation from research into public education.
It accommodates interactive student lessons, expert-led talks and hands-on activities aimed at converting complex scientific concepts into accessible formats for children and local residents.
In planting this education hub, both nations underscore their commitment to translating conservation research into community awareness and action.
The centre also coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, the Chinese side describes it as a symbol of “profound friendship” and a bridge for future collaborative work in marine ecosystems.
Planned future initiatives include joint workshops, restoration technology exchanges and community-based mangrove assessment programmes.
For students such as high-schooler Saranphat Choogumlang, the new centre offers a clear pathway: “I learned that mangroves are vital ‘nurseries’ for many aquatic animals.
If I grow up to be a scientist, I would like to study their physical and biological characteristics,” he said.
The centre thus serves both environmental and educational goals, aiming to ignite local curiosity and inspire the next generation of conservationists.
It stands as a concrete commitment to preserving Thailand’s coastal ecosystems while strengthening international collaboration at the grassroots level.
