Geography

Biodiversity Facts

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.

Thailand is one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in Southeast Asia. It is located within two major biogeographical regions – the Indochinese region in the north and the Sundiac region in the south. With 15 mountain ranges throughout the country, the watersheds and main river basins connected to the Mekong River, Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea form a juncture of distribution for various plant species, such as temperate plant species and sub-alpine flora species from China and the Himalayas, tropical plant species from Indo-China and tropical species from other parts of Asia. In consequence, this area is one of the most biodiverse in the world. Thailand contains around 15,000 plant species, representing 8% of the world’s total. Forest area covers at least 33% of the country’s total area, with at least 18% comprised of conserved forests.

Threatened species in Thailand are numerous, consisting of 121 mammals, 184 birds, 33 reptiles, 5 amphibians, 218 fishes and no fewer than 1,131 plants. For instance, the number of wild elephants is between 1975 and 2380, wild buffaloes remain between 50 and 70, tigers between 200 and 500, while guars and bantengs remain at around 200. The kouprey, eld’s deer and java rhino have not been reported in the wild for a long time. The number of irrawaddy dolphins is plummeting as well. Some freshwater fish species have become extinct and there are more than 20 endangered species. The number of indigenous livestock is also decreasing due to the introduction of alien animals.

Biodiversity

Thailand has developed three NBSAPs to date, with the third formulated in the light of achieving the 2010 Biodiversity Target. National policies, measures and plans are grouped into 5 strategies and 17 action plans, which serve as a framework for implementing the NBSAP over a five-year period (2008-2012). The five strategies aim to: 1) protect the components of biodiversity 2) encourage the sustainable use of biodiversity 3) minimize threat to biodiversity 4) promote research, training, education and public awareness and networking on biodiversity and 5) strengthen national capacity for implementing biodiversity-related international agreements.

A process to further update the NBSAP, which will include a suite of national targets, was initiated in May 2011. Notably, the Aichi Biodiversity Targets have been integrated into Thailand’s 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2012-2016).