Over-exploitation of Lepironia articulata, or Grey Sedge, in the Thale Noi region has led to shortages in supply for local communities’ dependent on the plant as a primary source of income.
This species is intensely harvested by over 1,000 local families (over 70% of working women), who use the stems for weaving into mats, baskets, bags and other handicraft items for sale.
The cultivation of Lepironia articulata in the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area does not require legal land tenure and little financial outlay, making it an attractive method of earning income for poor families.

Royal or Sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, are harvested extensively for food, medicine and religious ceremonies.
Thai people use all parts of this species for myriad uses including the rhizomes, stems, leaves, petals, pods and seeds in cooking; the flowers and leaves for Buddhist rituals; and the leaves, pods, petioles, stamens and pollen for treating a variety of ailments such as sinusitis, diabetes and fever.
 Similarly, leaves from the Pandanus plant, Pandanus amaryllifolius, found within the reserve are commonly used throughout Thailand for flavouring dishes and adding natural green colouring to drinks and sweets, as well as being used as a traditional medicine for treating diabetes.
Over-exploitation of Lepironia articulata, or Grey Sedge, in the Thale Noi region has led to shortages in supply for local communities’ dependent on the plant as a primary source of income. This species is intensely harvested by over 1,000 local families (over 70% of working women), who use the stems for weaving into mats, baskets, bags and other handicraft items for sale. The cultivation of Lepironia articulata in the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area does not require legal land tenure and little financial outlay, making it an attractive method of earning income for poor families.
Royal or Sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, are harvested extensively for food, medicine and religious ceremonies. Thai people use all parts of this species for myriad uses including the rhizomes, stems, leaves, petals, pods and seeds in cooking; the flowers and leaves for Buddhist rituals; and the leaves, pods, petioles, stamens and pollen for treating a variety of ailments such as sinusitis, diabetes and fever.  Similarly, leaves from the Pandanus plant, Pandanus amaryllifolius, found within the reserve are commonly used throughout Thailand for flavouring dishes and adding natural green colouring to drinks and sweets, as well as being used as a traditional medicine for treating diabetes.
Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area