The National Parks Department will seek to bolster its forest conservation projects in a bid to showcase national efforts to combat climate change and prepare for the possible launch of a UN-led forestry scheme.
DNP deputy chief Theerapat Prayurasiddhi said many forest conservation projects have already been implemented nationwide that are in line with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change's REDD+ scheme.
The REDD scheme aims at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, while the "plus" sign denotes measures to conserve forests, enhance forest carbon stocks and manage forest land sustainably.
The concept was developed in 2006 as a tool for climate change mitigation.
Mr Theerapat said the DNP was preparing for the implementation of the scheme in Thailand, even though the government is yet to make a final decision on whether to adopt the project.
REDD+ involves measuring carbon storage capabilities in forest areas, establishing patrol systems to curb forest encroachment, and reporting forest status updates to the climate change committee.
The scheme is designed for developed countries, which are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, to spend more money on forest protection and preservation in developing countries.
Mr Theerapat said regardless of the government's decision, it was useful to establish a database on forest carbon storage.
He said having a reliable database on the country's forest conservation efforts would improve Thailand's image in global climate change talks.
Mr Theerapat added that the department would hold workshops on REDD+ with relevant agencies over the next two months to enhance authorities' understanding of the scheme.
Environmentalists have expressed concern over the potential negative impacts of adopting REDD+, saying the mechanism could pose a threat to local communities which depend on forests for their livelihoods.