I. First progress report (September 30, 2009)
Activities undertaken:
1. Regenerating blue swimming crabs and relevant campaign on proper consumption
2. Building technical & institutional capacity of target population
3. Launching reforestation of mangrove and other native species

Results of activities:
1. Nearly 1,000 pregnant blue swimming crabs being acquired to reproduce in the conservation zone
2. Acquired basic data & information of sea-grass , coral reefs and dugongs for further community-led learning
3. 160 branches of coral being reforested in 12 selected locations and under community protection
4. About 32-ha mangrove areas being reforested and under community protection
5. Evinced increased capacity of target population through re-use/recycle activities, regulated sales of blue swimming crabs, willingness to negotiate with illegal fishers from outside

Project communication:
1.The project was mainly made visible through events of capacity building in which representatives of relevant organizations were invited to be resources persons of specific subjects.
2. The project was visited by volunteers of the Green Globe, members of SEAFDEC, Students from Rajabhat University Walaialongkorn, members from Thailand Environment Institute and fishing communities from Ao(bay) Pattani , southern Thailand.

Experience ,lessons learnt, problems and issues:
The project related , as experience, lessons learnt, and issue, original findings or immediate output of activities in statistic terms.

Project expense:
The project reported the expense of THB: 143,047 out of the first disbursement of THB: 366,355.03.

II. Monitoring Visit by NC and the SGP team (October 31, 2009)
Findings and observation:

Amongst the expected achievements, an increase in fishing boats and a decrease in petrol consumption due to the higher number of living crabs and fish in the nearby waters. Besides, the other areas illegal fishing boats are visiting less as they are being under surveillance against illegal fishery.

Together with mangrove reforestation, coral reef rehabilitation is being carried out. The aim is to recoup sea biodiversity in order to raise fishermen income. As a consequence, the revitalization of the coral reef is bringing tourists back to the area, boosting local incomes.

The construction of a data and learning centre on ecosystems and resources inventory has been taken into consideration, but it hasn?t been implemented yet.

Capacity-building of target population can be noticed, and community members have increased so far. Moreover, some Bangkok university students got involved in the project by helping to plant more trees to settle mangrove forests. By working together, twenty years of environmental degradation is being reversed - fish stocks are on the up and long-lost marine species are returning to the rehabilitated habitats.

Chaolao community has experienced an increase in people participation which ends up being a society involving project apart from environmentally sustainable.

Reducing land based pollution has been carried out in fishing zones but it is still challenging for the mangrove areas where there are quite polluted zones. However, the overall result was outstanding.

Record of Country Contribution: During the visit, the Mangrove Research and Development Station ?2 Tha Sorn? had in kindly provided lodging the visiting team = THB: 1,000.

III. Second progress report (June 15, 2009)
Activities undertaken:
1. Continuing regenerating blue swimming crabs ,monitoring and recording their behavioral developments
2. Conducting resources inventorying on and cleaning coral reefs
3. Upgrading community facility to serve as data & learning centre on ecosystems
4.Continuing building technical & institutional capacity of target population

Results of activities:
1. Acquired detailed data & information of blue swimming crabs and coral reefs in the area of one by four kilometers in the bay with 400-500 kg. of waste being collected from coral reefs
2. Increased income through saving cost of gasoline for fishing boat about 50 % ( from 10-20 litres/day to 5-10 litres/day) , with apparent increase in catch of the crab ( 10 kg/night)
3. The facility being finished and first visited by staff and students from Rajabhat University Walai-alongkron , first used in planning on additional mangrove reforestation
4. Evinced increased capacity of target population on management of coastal ecosystems, effects of global warming , renewable energy technology witnessed through compiled articulated reports

Project communication:
1. The project produced tracts distributing to visitors and several coastal groups in the bay. The tract offered background, activities carried out and revealing results of the project.
2. The project signboards were erected in project location.

Experience ,lessons learnt, problems and issues:
Due to the current global financial crisis, the number of foreign tourists to the project decreased from 700/month during 2008 towards the end of 2009 to 70/month during the first four months of 2010.

Project expense:
The project reported the accumulated expense of THB: 931,690 out of the sum of first & second disbursement of THB: 710,831.96.

IV. Monitoring Visit by NC and NSC (June 26-27, 2010)
Findings and observation:

At Baan (village) Chao Lao, one of the many participating villages, upgrading community facility to serve as data & learning centre on ecosystems, and resources inventorying (coral reef and sea grass) was seen almost completed. The facility was equipped with photos showing activities of the group including visits from eco-tourists , marine science academics and college students. Also, Oxygen tanks were seen lining up for diving tourists. A brief on project progress and other emerging issues were shared with the visiting team, here at the facility.

Heading westward along the coast to Baan Laem Mae Nokkaew, another participating village, mangrove reforestation and growth was witnessed. Reforestation area was expanded since the last visit. And as coastal erosion appeared rather severe, project leaders were working with responsible authority and local academics to slow down.

Interaction with community leaders in the two villages, capacity and local knowledge on marine and coastal ecosystems was notable . Their effort to rehabilitate and protect the ecosystems was producing some results. The group, however, still faced several emerging issues such as land speculation to turn the bay into something like ?second Pattaya?, land-base pollution, shore erosion and a wide spread of the ?whale dung? ? a phenomenon caused by euthrophication that currently appeared along several location along both east and west coast of the gulf. In addressing these issues, the visiting team suggested that a network of costal communities in the east coast be developed in the near future. With about 30 coastal communities under back and current support as direct partners of GEF SGP, such a suggestion would be followed soon.

V. Completion report (March 25 ,2011):
Date of Participatory Evaluation( March, 2011):

Number of Beneficiaries/ Participating personnel:
Women: 5,227
Men: 4,793
Children: 2,560

Number of persons trained/ attending seminars, joining study tours:
Women: 54
Men: 82
Children: 129

Expense:
Amount received from SGP (3 disbursements): THB: 1,044,782.63
Total amount spent out of SGP budget: THB: 1,159,183
Balance: THB : (-114,400.37)
Amount authorized for the final payment: US$: 3,439.96

Amount Received from others: THB: - (in cash)
THB: 3,775,090 (in kind)

Activities undertaken:
1. Upgrading community facility to serve as data & learning centre on ecosystems , and resources inventorying (coral reef and sea grass)
2. Regenerating blue swimming crabs and relevant campaign on proper consumption
3. Building technical & institutional capacity of target population
4. Launching reforestation of mangrove and other native species
5. Launching participatory monitoring & evaluation and dissemination

Results and indicators:
1. Information & data of communities including marine & coastal resources in the location being systematically collected and compiled ready for further application
2. The facility being providing services as a meeting venue for several community groups and students of all grades
3. Evinced increased juvenile blue swimming crabs ( about 70-75% of total number in a sample area of about half-an-acre) with their habitats being properly protected
4. Evinced increased awareness of youth groups witnessed through active participation in conservation campaign and giving relevant advice to tourists ( compliments by average tourists)
5. Mangrove ( 40 ha), sea grass( 800 ha) and coral reef of about four sq, m. being protected and rehabilitated with observable increase of water species
5. Increased marine species and increased income of target population being increased from THB: 200-250 /day to THB: 300-500/day.

Project Communication:


Plans and Activities for Sustainability:
The group formulated plan to encourage dialogue between ?ridge communities and reef communities? in the Gulf of Thailand. A website of 8-province network was being initiated.

Experience , Lessons Learnt , Problems and Issues:
1.Extreme or unpredictable weather condition caused delay to planned activities. However, the project was able to complete all activities with slight adjustment.
2. Political changes at national level usually resulted in interruption of activities by responsible government agencies. For example, untimely changing a director-general of the marine and coastal resources did not make a gain for marine and ecosystems protection, but rather slowed down planned activities.
3. After 2-year experience, the group was confident to reach out to other communities and other stakeholders. In fact, the group had shared experience at various levels including university students from USA.