Mr. Saksit Tridech, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), together with Mr. Wannakiat Tubtimsaeng, Director of the Marine, Coastal, and Mangrove Forest Resources Research and Development Institute, mutually announced the weekly news and announcement of MNRE. For this week, there were two topics announced: 1) Current situation of bleached corals and rehabilitation activities, research, and surveys of Marine, Coastal, and Mangrove Forest Resources Research and Development Institute regarding bleached corals, and 2) Annual Marine Science Conference of 2010, which will be held during 28th to 30th June 2010 at Royal Phuket City Hotel, Phuket Province.

“Muang Theparat”, or Exacum affine Balf., or widely known as Persian Violet, is an herbaceous plant in Genus Gentianaceae. With colorful violet to cyan flowers, Muang Theparat is a perfect choice for decoration. Each flower has 5 petals, which are shaped like a star when the flower is fully mature and bloom. Its yellow anther can be observed apparently. The smell of flower is softly fragrant. The leave is green with oval shape, measuring about 4 cm. The plant can grow up to approximately 60 cm. in natural condition. Muang Theparats are commonly blossom in spring and summer. Its common name is “Persian Violet”, and scientific name is “Exacum affine”. The Thai name “Muang Theparat” was granted by H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 29 September 2009.

On 22 April 2010, in Chatuchak Park, Chatuchak District, Bangkok, Mr. Suwit Khunkitti, minister of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), presided the ceremony of signing the memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the campaign called "45 Days to Reduce Plastic Bag usage and Alleviate Global Warming" between MNRE and entrepreneurs from shopping malls, department stores, and convenient stores. The objective of the memorandum is to stimulate serious participation among all stakeholders to help reduce, stop or quit using plastic bags in Thailand. Representative of MNRE who sign the memorandum was Mr. Saksit Tridech, Permanent Secretary of MNRE.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, by Royal Forest Department, and World Buddhist Park Foundation expressed their cooperation by signing the agreement to set up World Buddhist Park in “Pa Namtok Kao Ito” National Reserved Forest, Tambol Noenhorm, Muang District, Prachinburi Province, in order to sustainably protect forest resources according to the principle of “World Buddhist Park”.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), by Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP), together with Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) (TGO) announced MNRE’s Weekly News on Monday 19 April 2010.

On 22 December 2009, at the park of the Natural Science Museum of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP), Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, the Director General of DNP, Mr. Suwit Ruttanamanee, the Vice Director General, and Dr. Kanthima Kunchara Na Ayudhaya, Organization Communication Director who is responsible for Organizational Activity for Social Line of True Vision Plc., jointly made a statement about arrangement of activities for Wildlife Protection Day of 2009. According to their statement, as December 26th of every year is recognized as Wildlife Protection Day, DNP, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), had planned to set up an event of activities to distribute and promote information regarding forest and wildlife resources conservation activities to people. The event aims to remind people about deterioration of natural resources and encourage them to love and care to protect forest and wildlife resources.

On January 14, 2010, Mr. Chatree Chueyprasit, Deputy Permanent Secretariate of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment chaired the workshop meeting entitled “Supports for Provincial Administration and Management of Natural Resources and Environment for 2010 Fiscal Year”. He also gave speech with policy regarding administration of natural resources in a provincial level. On this occasion, Mr. Vorapol Janngam, Director of the Internal Audit Division, Mr. Somdet Choontanom, Head of the MNRE’s Administration Development Group, Mr. Thongchai Chumnankit, Head of PCD’s Administration Development Group, Mr. Wichai Sukitmongkolkul, Head of Governmental Coordination Group, Mr. Peerawas Mehkin, Head of the Monitoring and Assessment Group, as well as relevant persons have attended the meeting and listen to the policy.