Thai Forest Monks Combine Faith With Fight Against Deforestation

Ancient Buddhist traditions grow new roots amid ravages of climate change

- Lee Seung-ku

CHAIYAPHUM, Thailand – At dusk on July 10, monks at Wat Pasukato temple in north-eastern Thailand gathered for a quiet procession to mark Asalha Bucha, a Buddhist holiday that commemorates Buddha's first sermon more than 2,500 years ago.

The group of about 20 saffron-robed monks each carried a plant sapling. Walking three times around the temple's main building, they chanted prayers – not only for spiritual awakening but also for the earth. Each round took the group roughly three minutes to complete.

"It is our duty to protect the forest," said Venerable Paisal Visalo, abbot of Wat Pasukato and founder of Trees For Dharma – an organisation of Thai monks advocating reforestation and forest preservation. He was among the monks who took part in the procession.

He added: "The forest is the source of Thai culture and livelihood. Once the forest is protected, the livelihood of the villagers is also protected."

The ceremony in Chaiyaphum province, just over five hours' drive from Bangkok, is part of a growing movement in Thailand where "forest monks" are linking Buddhist practice with environmental activism.

For Asalha Bucha in 2025, monks at more than 90 temples across Thailand, including several in Bangkok, swapped candles and incense – typical offerings for the festival that are usually thrown away after one use – for young plants.

At Wat Pasukato, more than 100 saplings of plants, such as avocado, guava and ficus, were prepared. Ecology experts had carefully selected species suited to the region's climate and biodiversity.

After the ceremony, monks and villagers took the saplings home to plant.

Much of northern Thailand, including Chaiyaphum, has suffered from deforestation linked to monocrop farming, logging and mining. A nearby wind farm built along an ecological corridor has also disrupted local biodiversity, say some monks from temples in the Chaiyaphum region.