Chula Signs MOU on Mangrove Biodiversity Survey 

Chulalongkorn University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, and Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya on the “Project to Survey and Assess Mangrove Biodiversity”. The goal of this project is to create a national biodiversity database and lay the groundwork for climate change-related financial mechanisms. 

The signing ceremony took place on October 16, 2025, at the Lam Pan Meeting Room, 9th Floor, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. Representing Chulalongkorn University was Professor Dr. Pornanong Aramwit, Vice President for Research, who was assigned by the university’s president to co-sign the MOU. Other signatories included M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, Secretary-General and CEO of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation; Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the DMCR; and Professor Dr. Suwat Tanyaros, President of Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya. 

Mangrove forests are a vital ecosystem for Thailand. They serve as nurseries for marine life, protect coastal areas, and store blue carbon, which plays a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. This MOU marks a significant collaboration between the public sector, academic institutions, and civil society to establish a comprehensive scientific database that will support sustainable conservation and management of coastal resources. 

The project will begin with a pilot survey in the mangrove forests of Trang Province before expanding nationwide. The ultimate goal is to develop “Thailand’s Mangrove Biodiversity Database”, a standardized resource to support future planning and management of marine and coastal ecosystems.