Bangkok February 20, 2024 – Pol. Lt. Gen. Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, presided over “The ceremony to release Eastern Sarus Crane back into the wild in the year 2024.” At the Wetland and Thai Crane Learning Center, Buriram Province with the presence of Mr. Aut Arunrattanapong, Head of Regional Management Division 1, True Corporation, and Miss Rommuk Piachan, Senior Leader, Projects Development, TruePlookpanya, also represented True Corporation in this event. Representatives from various government agencies involved in the conservation of Eastern Sarus Crane, including the Buriram Province, The Zoological Park Organization under The Royal Patronage of H.M. The King, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, were also present. This release marked the 12th time, with a total of 10 Eastern Sarus Crane released, bringing the current population of Eastern Sarus Crane in the wild to over 168. These Eastern Sarus Crane are the largest water birds and 1 of the 20 reserved wildlife species in Thailand. They had faced extinction from the Thai natural habitat for over 50 years
True Corporation, through the TruePlookpanya, has been a part of the network supporting the conservation project of Eastern Sarus Crane since 2016. Since then, True Corporation has contributed innovations and various communication technologies to support the initiative. This includes installing WiFi signals in the Wetland and Thai Crane Learning Center, the development of the Nong Na Development Community Learning Center in Na Hao, the Rice Eastern Sarus Crane Conservation Learning Center in Ban Sawai So, providing digital marketing skills training to local farmers involved in Eastern Sarus Crane conservation by practicing organic farming to serve as a food source for the birds. Moreover, True Corporation has established a Eastern Sarus Crane Learning Center for youth at Ban Sawai So School, utilizing communication technology to enable real-time learning through cameras and the TrueX application. They also engage in public relations campaigns through various True channels to raise awareness about the conservation of Eastern Sarus Crane on a broader scale.
At the same time, The Zoological Park Organization organized the “Eastern Sarus Crane Festival 2024” the first of its kind in Thailand. The event featured various interesting activities such as parrot drawing contests, seminars on Eastern Sarus Crane conservation and environmental topics, as well as booths from network partners, including booth True Corporation through the TruePlookpanya and booth True Buri Ram booth of the Bird and Nature Conservation Association of Thailand. The event gained significant interest from the community, students, and tourists who actively participated in the festivities.