From 17 to 18 June 2005 , I paid a visit to Bo Nok community and the Temple of Bo Nok . It was the second time I went there as I needed to follow the continuation of the conservation project done by the local and the pagoda orchard run by the monk, Ven. Wititpattanawitarn.

The Conservation Project of the Bo Nok Community

The project which concerns the case of the murder to Charoen Wat-Aksorn, an environmental activist against the Bo Nok coal power station site, is superficially satisfactory since a lot of governmental authorities are interested in and attentive to solving this case. One more offender was arrested under the charge against hiring gunmen to shoot the activist. Now, there are five culprits--three persons hiring two gunmen--in this case. And the authorities from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) are responsible for further solving the case as the local are not fully confident with the operation done by the provincial police. Since this case has been transferred to DSI, the cause of the murder is narrowed down and focused on the conflict against construction of the coal power plant rather than personal interest, commiting adultery or local politic.

However, the people seem unhappy with the progress and the result of the work done by DSI. Although all culprits are caught, they were released on bail and the date of the hearing is next year. It is a worry that the culprits will either destroy evidence or run away from the trial. Furthermore, the investigation, despite being continuously carried out, provides nothing that ensures the local that the culprits will serve punishment properly. So, the local will organize a seminar on 19 June at the Chulalongkorn University discussing about the case. On 21 June, they will visit the parliament to ask for the solution to the case from the premier. And on 24 June, a commemoration to Charoen will be set up at Bo Nok Temple.

The Pagoda Orchard of Ven. Wititpattanawitarn

Following the visit I made to Ven. Wititpattanawitarn at Wat Bo Nok (Bo Nok Temple) in April, 2005, the monk reported to me that the orchard of 7 Rai 3 Ngarn (Aproximately 11,400 square meters) bears various kinds of fruit. 'Since Prachuapkirikhan province is located in Southern Thailand ,' said Ven. Wititpattanawitarn. 'There is no water shortage here although, during summertime, the amount of water subsides.' I saw a lot of Thai fruit there like mangosteen, pomelo, banana, pineapple and palm there. The monk said that he has just planted 10,000 more pineapple and 100 more palm. 'The pineapple shoot was given to me by the local here,' mentioned Venerable. 'While the seed of palm trees was bought by myself as there are many fruit in my orchard, so I decorate the area using palm trees.'

In reply to the question concerning how to take care of the plants in the orchard, the monk told me that he hardly uses any chemical fertilizer. Rather, he uses dung to enhance the growth. 'I use it with some dry leaves and I find it more effective than any chemical fertilizer as most of the plants here bear a lot of fruits and few pests damage the trees,' said Venerable. However, he is concerned over some pest since it keeps damaging the plants and he has to let it go as he is a monk and cannot kill such animal. 'I believe in living harmoniously with others--both human beings and animals,' said Venerable. 'If I use pesticide, the people who have the fruit will suffer from the consequence as well.'

Venerable Wititpattanawitarn then informed me of the fruit from the orchard. The fruit, mostly banana and jackfruit, will undergo conversion to dried banana or fried jackfruit. This process is done by the group of housewifes locally based there. The members of the group will sell the product and give some money to the temple for water and electricity bills. All of the fruit in the pagoda can be taken home without any prohibition from anybody.

I talked to the monk about the seed grant application and he seems happy to hear this. It is because the small dam he made suffers from leakage and, since the orchard is large, he needs tube pipes implanted there so that every plant will be watered sufficiently. 'I am not sure whether it is possible or not,' concluded Venerable. 'But what we usually lack is equipment and neccessary financial support.' He also amphasized that the local here are willing to help him on the work under the pagoda and he will consider applying for the ARC seed grant.

Compiled by Korapat Pruekchaikul, Project Officer, Thailand

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This article is paste on https://www.sulak-sivaraksa.org on : 2005-07-8