Chang(e) Caravan

หน้า - กันยายน 12, 2552

The Asian Elephant, (chang in Thai), the incredibly endearing but inevitably endangered, species of planet earth, is going to travel across fragmented forest corridors and climate change hotspots of Thailand to call upon President Obama to deliver on the 'Change' he promised.

From September 12 to 27, Greenpeace , tcktktck and a number of wildlife, animal welfare and human rights organization of Thailand have oranized an extraordinary elephant caravan that will travel 200 kilometers from Khao Yai National Park, a world heritage site, to Bangkok, in time for the preparatory United Nations climate change meeting that begins on 28 September 2009 at UNESCAP building.

Along the route the Chang(e) Caravan will raise awareness about climate change its impacts and the need to prepare, adapt and mitigate. The Change Greenpeace is demanding is immediate action, pledges of funds for protection of forests, for climate, for biodiversity and for the forest dependent communities. i.e the human race.

The science is clear: Southeast Asia is the 'most vulnerable and least prepared region' to climate change. Greenpeace wants President Obama to personally attend the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December and force decisions that will 'change' the shape of humanity's future.

In the run up to the ultimate United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen, UNESCAP in Bangkok, Thailand will host an important preparatory meeting from September 28th onwards.

Greenpeace and tcktcktck have lined up a series of activities ahead of the Bangkok intersessional.

Greenpeace has partnered with the Thailand Elephant Research and Conservation Fund to ensure proper care of the elephants and safety of the participants.

View Chang(e) Caravan (English) in a larger map

Route, Stops, Stories, Timeline for Chang(e) Caravan

12 September 2009 Thai Elephants Center for Conservation, Musi Sub-district, Pakchong district, Nakhonratchasima Province

Launching Chang(e) Caravan.

08.00-09.30 : Registration/Reception

09.30-0959 : Opening Keynote by

Von Hernandez - Greenpeace Southeast Asia

Suttikiat Sophanic-General Chartchai Chunhavarn Foundation

Wiwat Sulyakamthon - Agri-Nature Foundation and Self-sufficiency Economy Institute

Press conference

Tara Buakamsri - Greenpeace Southeast Asia

09.59-11.00 : Pakam Ceremony (an auspicious act of worshipping a family's guardian spirit by the animistic people before looping the elephants.)

11.00-11.30 : About animal rights and welfare issued by Wildlife Rescue Foundation-Thailand.

11.30-12.00 : Discussion "People-Elephant-Forest in the warming world"

Surapol Duangkhae - Wildlife Biologist

Wiwat Salyakamthon - Director of Self-sufficiency Economy Institute

Wanun Permpiboon - SEA Climate Action Network

13.00-14.00 : Introduction to Elephants and activities by Alongkot Chukeaw - Thai Elephant Research and Conservation Fund

14.00-19.00 : Stories Telling from Korat Plateau with folk music by Pongthep Kradonchamnun

For more information about Thai Elephant Center for Conservation which is under Thai Elephant Research and Conservation Fund, see http://www.thaielephants.org

13 September 2009 Heaw Pla Kang Temple, Musi Sub-district, Pakchong district, Nakhonratchasima Province

07.00 AM : Buddhist ceremony in the morning

Along the way - visiting "Sphere House" owned by Associate Professor Vorasant Buranakarn

14 September 2009 Ban Naonkradon School, Dongprayayen sub-district, Pakchong District, Nakhonratchasima Province

6.00 AM : Elelphants start walking

11.30 AM : Reach Ban Naonkradon School and get welcome by more than 300 students and children.

01.00 PM :onward : Activities with children and communities (Mobile exhibit / Obama Petition / Renewable energy demonstration / "People-Elephant-Forest" Show / fun games)

15 September 2009 Ban Champakpeaw Temple, Keangkhoi District, Saraburi Province

06.00 AM : Elephants riding a truck across the highway no. 2 to Jedkot waterfall. Then elephants start walking to Ban Sampakpeaw temple.

01.00 PM onward : Activities with children and communities (Mobile climate exhibit / Obama Petition / Renewable energy demonstration / "People-Elephant-Forest" Show / fun games)

16 September 2009 Khao Hua Na Temple, Ban Na district, Nakhon Nayok province

Elephants walk to Ban Cha-Om intersection then take a ride to Khao Hua Na Temple.

Activities with children/communities (Mobile climate exhibit / Obama Petition / Renewable energy demonstration / "People-Elephant-Forest" Show / fun games)

17 September 2009 Donglakhon Archeology Site, Mueng District, Nakhon Nayok province

Elephants take a ride crossing the network of highway to Donglakhon Archeology site.

Meditation practices (on voluntary basis) / take a rest / preparation for next events.

Organizing focus group discussion regarding "Climate Change Impacts Identification and Vulnerability Assessment of Communities in the Bang Pa Kong Watershed, Thailand" (specific on eco-tourism sector)

18 September 2009 Ban Sang Temple, Ban Sang district, Prachinburi province

Elephants take a ride to irrigation canal and start walking along the irrigation canal to Ban Sang district

Elephants visit old-fashioned town of Ban Sang

19 September 2009 Institute of Self-Sufficiency Economy, Rachabatra Nakarindra University, Bangkhla District, Chacheangsoa Province

Join public activities at Rachabatra Nakarindra University, Bangkhla District, Chacheangsoa Province

Seminar "Disaster Management by Self-sufficiency Economy"

04.00 PM : Public Gathering at King Taksin Statute.

20 September 2009 Institute of Self-Sufficiency Economy, Rachabatra Nakarindra University, Bangkhla District, Chacheangsoa Province

Elephant caravan is joining "Protect Bangprakong River" big gathering event organized by Natural Farming Foundation and Self-sufficient Economy Institute.

21 September 2009 Institute of Self-Sufficiency Economy, Rachabatra Nakarindra University, Bangkhla District, Chacheangsoa Province

Climate Hearing - climate impacts on agriculture - (tbd.)

Solidarity with anti-coal communities.

Activities with children/communities (Mobile climate exhibit / Obama Petition / Renewable energy demonstration / "People-Elephant-Forest" Show / fun games)

22-23 September 2009 Sanamchan Temple, Ban Po district, Chacheongsoa province

Elephant swim crossing Bangprakong river.

Activities with children/communities (Mobile climate exhibit /Obama Petition / Renewable energy demonstration / "People-Elephant-Forest" Show / fun games)

Age of Stupid Premiere (Bangkok)

24 September 2009 Khoa Din Temple, Bangprakong District, Chacheongsoa province

25 September 2009 Ancient Siam, Bangpu district, Samutprakarn province

Elephants at climate change impacted area / Photo at mud flat, mangrove restoration and coastal wind farm demo project

26-27 September 2009 Ancient Siam, Bangpu district, Samutprakarn province

Elephants take a break at Ancient Siam area after long traveling. There might be an elephant show and activities to engage with tourists who visit the place.

Preparation for transport elephants back to Thai Elephant Center for Conservation.

Preparation for 28th September at UNFCCC in Bangkok.

*Ancient Siam is the door opening to the heritage of Thai wisdom. With a wide range of architectural symbols combined with fine arts and craftsmanship, structural layout and natural environment that integrate harmoniously, The Ancient City creates kind of atmosphere that induces visitors to perceive and appreciate the continuity of history, cultures, religions, arts and customs of Thai people. More details at www.ancientcity.com