Present Status and Prospect of Pulp and Paper Industries in Thailand (Part 2)

The shift of the policy of pulp and paper industries from non-woody raw materials such as kenaf and bagasse to wood chips accelerated plantation of eucalyptus, especially Eucalyptus camldulensis in North-East in Thailand. Phoenix Pulp and Paper Co., Ltd. switched from kenaf to eucalyptus and bamboo after several years' operation in 1987. Advance Agro Co. belonging to Soon Hua Seng Conglomerate has entered in these industries in the late 1980 s and the early 1990 s with plantation of eucalyptus in their own farmers' network fields. In spite of strong farmers' resistance movement against the plantation, eucalyptus plantation is gradually and steadily prevailing in North-East Area in Thailand. FAO organized a symposium to confirm scientifically the evaluation of eucalyptus plantation. The conclusive argument pro and con eucalyptus plantation provided by FAO was introduced. Finally research organizations concerning pulp and paper as well as afforestation were also mentioned.