Author : Tongchai Wechasut

Summary : A conceptual framework for regulating the Thai teak forests and covering the entire forest regulation system was developed. The framework involves the conceptualization of forest regulation and the development of a methodology for solving this problem. The framework uses a linear programming model with four variations of the model which simultaneously consider the functional relationships of the components of the forest regulation system. The linear programming model consisting of various management strategies as decision variables covers 64 cutting units of natural forests and 59 cutting units of existing plantation forests, with ten 5-year planning periods over a 50-year planning horizon. The multiple rotations all taken at the same time were 25,30,and 35 years; the single rotations were 25,30, and 35 years taken individually. The management strategies are differentiated by various factors such as accessibility class, rotation, forest development period, road development schedule, timber stand improvement, year at first-cut of natural forests and year at second-cut of existing plantation forests. The model was tested using empirical data.