A Critique Implementation of the Royal Forest Department’s Integrated Strategy and Action Plan for Promoting Economic Timber (2018 - 2036)

Abstract

          This academic article aims to examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Royal Forest Department’s Integrated Strategy and Action Plan for Promoting Economic Timber (2018 - 2036) and to propose development guidelines for its effective implementation. Based on a comprehensive review of relevant documentation and from an interview with one key informant, the study reveals that the strategy's strengths lie in its clearly defined framework and inclusive multi - sectoral coverage. Opportunities for enhancement are supported by national forestry policies and the National Forestry Development Master Plan, which emphasize the development of an integrated economic timber database. Conversely, the primary weakness identified is the Forestry Economics Office's limited personnel and budget. Furthermore, significant threats include the lack of robust financial, fiscal, and marketing mechanisms to support project participants. address these challenges, the study proposes nine development guidelines: (1) elevating the 'Forestry Economics Office' to the 'Forestry Economics Division' status; (2) revising laws and cabinet resolutions that hinder economic timber cultivation; (3) allocating sufficient funding for the planting and maintenance of economic forests; (4) clearly demarcating target areas for economic plantations; (5) increasing the flexibility of program terms and conditions; (6) establishing a central timber market to serve as a trading hub for timber and related forest products; (7) promoting community agro-forestry enterprises to achieve sustainable forest management standards; (8) developing an accurate and precise database system for economic timber; and (9) enhancing the expertise of personnel and stakeholders across all dimensions of economic forestry.