The Center for Academic Services of Walailak University is pleased to congratulate the Blue Swimming Crab Bank Learning Center in Ban Haadsomboon, Wang Sub-district, Tha Chana District, Surat Thani Province; the plaque of Sustainable Blue Swimming Crab Bank in Ban Haadsomboon is received by the head of the Blue Swimming Crab Bank Project, Asst. Prof. Dr. Amonsak Sawusdee. Besides, this community is the exemplary ‘SDGs Learning Area, Generation 1’ from the 5 designated areas nationwide. Moreover, the plaque is from the exchange and learning platform for Sustainable Development of Thailand 2023 which is organized by The International Health Policy Program (IHPP), Thailand, at Centra by Centara Government & Convention Chaeng Watthana.

The objective is to facilitate a learning process among various sectors regarding Thailand’s sustainable development, SDGs awareness increase, and future Thailand’s SDGs implementation direction. It also serves as a mechanism for exchanging and learning at the local level (SDGs Localization) to extend knowledge towards policy for actively participating in driving Thailand’s sustainable development. The focus is on working formats to support operations at the local level, following the Thailand SDGs Roadmap, including building awareness at both central and local levels for understanding, cooperation, openness to diversity, and listening to feedback from the locals. The goal is not only to inform the public about the existence of SDGs but also to empower them to actively engage in the SDGs achievement process.

Within the event, there was a public seminar on the topic of “Driving Local Level for Thailand’s Sustainable Development: SDGs Learning Area Generation 1.” Blue Swimming Crab Bank in Ban Haadsomboon focuses on the conservation and promotion of the restoration of marine resources through community collaboration and support from various sectors.

The challenges faced by Ban Haadsomboon Community are similar to those of other coastal fishing communities nationwide such as coastal encroachment and overfishing beyond the capacity of commercial fishing. It has led to the degradation of the local fisheries. Consequently, faced with these issues, the community sought alternative ways to create sustainability for their lives and community.

One of the important ways is the academic knowledge provided by lectures from Walailak University, which is blue swimming crab breeding and suitable release time for returning baby crab to the sea. Besides, the continuous research and data collection from various sectors led to the establishment of the Blue Swimming Crab Bank in Ban Haadsomboon Community. Until today, with a clearly increasing number of crabs, it confirms that the blue swimming crab, community solidarity, and mutual awareness have led to the sustainability of marine resources, food security, economic strength in the BCG economy, SDG guidelines sustainable development, sustainable resources preservation, establishment of stable income, and elevation the local community’s livelihoods, as exemplified by Blue Swimming Crab Bank in Ban Haadsomboon. Also, this aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG14 Life Below Water, SDG2 Zero Hunger, and SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals.