Abstract
Illegal wildlife trading and habitat destruction have increased in Thailand in recent decades. While there has been research in this area, much of it has focused on sustainable development. In addition to focusing on sustainable development, there should be more work on educating Thai people with an ultimate aim of increasing pro-environmental behaviour, especially in the younger generation. There have been no previous research studies focusing on education of young Thai people to assume stewardship or adopt pro-environmental behaviours.
This research study has been conducted with an aim to improve communication activities about biodiversity and wildlife conservation for Thai children. The research consisted of five components: a literature review; interviews of camp educators; case studies of an Australian environmental education camp (Perth Zoo camp) and of a Thai environmental education camp (SERS camp); and development of a model for improved communication about biodiversity and wildlife conservation for Thai children. Mixed methods were used for data collection in the first three components.
For the fifth component, results from the findings of the other components were integrated and considered with special attention to factors that influence children's engagement and children's knowledge. This integration was used as the basis for the development of a model for communicating biodiversity and wildlife conservation in Thailand. The model was also influenced by the Theory of Planned Behaviour. A plan for implementing the model is suggested.