Thailand has since long realized the important role of its mangrove forests. Therefore, a National Mangrove Resources Committee has been set up under the National Research Council of Thailand to deal with all research aspects of mangrove resources. The mentioned committee has organized and arranged three symposia during the year 1976–1979 in order to gather all research activities on this interesting matter.
Though research on mangrove is very active and dynamic in Thailand, almost all research concerns exploitation aspects of mangrove ecosystem such as fisheries and forestry. Fundamental research on basic ecological knowledge leading to conservation of mangrove ecosystem is still inadequate.
Direct effects of pollution on mangrove ecological system have not been extensively studied. Most of researches on pollution and its effects are concentrated in the open water and certain mudflats particularly on the effects on fishery damages. (Such critical damages namely by water pollution in the Mae Klong estuary already occurred in the past 7 to 8 years).
However, Thailand has tried with much effort not only to carry our research whose results may lead to some effective applications but also to conduct workshops and symposia as well as to coordinate among different institutes and the government divisions. In spite of the results from the past research activities the gap between basic and applied knowledge seems to widen. The possible missing parts are a specific goal and a definite mangrove ecosystem research policy.
Some critical pollution problems on ecological mangrove system arise from the disposal from municipal, industrial, agricultural wastes and mine tailings. Besides this the human invading into the mangrove forests is an unnegligible problem.
There is a lack of cooperation among countries for research on mangroves in this region. Most of the international collaboration in Thailand is mainly aimed at the application for forestry and fishery development. It is essential for Thailand to get more contributions from other related international organizations or some donor countries in order to develop progressively research or mangrove ecosystem. Such contribution should cover a broad range: financial support for increased manpower and equipment, and training facilities and experts.
