The Study of Bamboo in Kanchanaburi

Research Title : The Study of Bamboo in Kanchanaburi

Researcher  : Kulsiri Siriwatana

Office :  Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University

Research Grants :  Research and Innovation for Transfer technology to Rural Community Project

Year : 2004

Abstract

The study of bamboo in Kanchanaburi was in investigate bamboo forested areas, types of bamboo, use of bamboo and to find the ways to solve the future problem of bamboo shortage as well as how to sustainably manage this resource. First, the area in  the Sangkhla district, Srisawat district, Tong Pa Pome district, Saiyok district, Nong Prue district were surveyed. Then, the entrepreneurs of bamboo products in Kanchanaburi were interviewed. They were also in-depth studied about the use of bamboo. Participatory Action Research (PAR) was applied to find out the ways to solve the problem of bamboo shortage in villages in Saiyok district.

The study found that a large number of bamboo in Kanchanaburi were growing in the preserved of forests such as National Parks, Wildlife Preserves and National Conservation Area In Mixed – deciduous forest where bamboo was, the only major type of bamboo was found with a few other types. Different major types of bamboo were found in different areas. A small number of bamboo in forests outside the preserved areas and around the rice fields were found. There were 13 types of bamboo of which 5 could not be named. A large amount of bamboo were used in making bamboo shoots, pickled bamboo shoots, steamed rice with coconut milk in bamboo stem, dried bamboo stem, bent bamboo stem and barbecue stick.  The shortage of bamboo and sustainable management of bamboo were studied in Tha Sao community in Saiyok district. People who lived in this community were trained to plant the bamboo shoots and multi-purpose wood. Phai Pa was recommended to be plants and used as a buffer zone between community and Erawan National Park. This bamboo would also help protest the creek bank from erosion.

From this study, the research team found that the demand of bamboo from Kanchanaburi was very high. However, the supply of bamboo was declining. Therefore, this issue should be immediately solved and the development of bamboo product should be supported to promote the product quality.