To mark National Tree Day, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has partnered with the Koala Clancy Foundation to plant 1000 trees, contributing to the restoration of an important koala habitat in the Victoria region.

The Thailand team, consisting of members of the TAT office in Sydney and the Royal Thai Embassy, ​​including the Honorable Mrs. Busadee Santipitaks, Ambassador to Australia, was supported at the Mt Rothwell site by Greater Geelong City Councillors: Councillor Belinda Moloney, Councillor Ron Nelson and Councillor Anthony Aitken, as well as a large group of enthusiastic volunteers.

Ambassador Busadee Santipitaks stated: “It was wonderful to see the passion and dedication with which Janine Duffy, President of the Koala Clancy Foundation, works to protect and create a habitat for koalas.”

"Equally impressive is Mr. Michael Smith, the owner of the land provided for this tree planting, and I greatly appreciate that he has hosted us in his barn (and distillery)."

Trees were planted on Mr. Smith's property. He had donated his land on Mount Rothwell to the reforestation foundation to create a more koala-friendly habitat. Mr. Smith treated the group to morning tea and lunch in his converted sheep-shearing barn, which now houses a boutique gin distillery.

The ambassador explained that the event was in line with Thailand's ongoing efforts to restore elephant rainforest habitat. Furthermore, the latest initiative to offset CO₂ emissions is the Bangkok governor's campaign to plant one million trees in Bangkok over the next four years.

TAT Director Suladda Sarutilavan elaborated on Thailand's sustainability goals and explained the Kingdom's Bio-Circular-Green-Economy model and its importance for the future of tourism in Thailand, including initiatives to promote more sustainable hotels, conscious gastronomy and community-based tourism.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently launched the “7 Greens” campaign: Green Heart, Green Logistics, Green Attraction, Green Activity, Green Community, Green Service, and Green Plus. The aim is to encourage resorts and tourism operators to gradually develop more sustainable strategies for the future.

The event sponsor, Minor Hotels Group, has long embraced these ideals and pioneered the establishment of elephant sanctuaries in Thailand through the Anantara Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. On this day, they shared their vision with the volunteers.

The Koala Clancy Foundation plants trees for koalas on farms and private land, creates new habitats, and advocates for better protection of wild koalas. Today, volunteers planted 1,000 trees, helping the foundation reach its goal of planting 26,000 trees in the You Yangs region of Victoria by 2022.

Founder and President Janine Duffy thanked TAT for the opportunity to present the foundation's goals.

“I am incredibly proud to be speaking with decision-makers from the region and abroad about our koalas in the You Yangs, and I hope that these wonderful people will always keep the needs of our precious koalas in mind.” The volunteers were rewarded for their efforts with a delicious Thai lunch and a subsequent hike to observe koalas in the You Yangs. There, to their great delight, they spotted a koala in the treetops – for many in the group, their first encounter with a koala in the wild.