Seub Nakhasathien

Seub Nakhasathien
Born	Seub Nakhasathien (1949-12-31)December 31, 1949 Prachinburi
Died	Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
Cause of death	Suicide
Nationality	Thai
Occupation	conservationist
Website	www.seub.or.th

Seub Nakhasathien (Thai: สืบ นาคะเสถียร, 31 December 1949 – 1 September 1990) was a Thai conservationist who was well known for his efforts to conserve and protect the nature in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and Chiew Larn.

Early life

Sueb was born in Prachinburi, Thailand to Salab and Boonyiam Nakhasathien. He had one brother, one sister and a daughter, Chinarat Nakhasathien. He received a master's degree from Kasetsart University in silvic studies, and a master's degree in environmental studies from University of London.

Chiew Larn wildlife evacuation project

In 1986, Sueb was appointed as wildlife evacuation project leader for the Chiew Larn dam project, with a budget of only ฿800,000 to evacuate an 100,000-acre (400 km²) area.

He was able to save hundreds of animals but was aware that many more were unable to escape and died. After what he saw as the failure of the Chiew Larn project, he began protesting further logging and dam construction projects.

In 1989 he accepted a position as Superintendent of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.

Death

On September 1, 1990, Seub committed suicide at the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary headquarters in the cause of nature, leaving his assets to Khao Nang Rum research station. The news of his suicide sent shock waves around Thailand.

Seub Nakhasathien Foundation

Shortly after he died, his fellow conservationists launched the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation in his memory to crusade against the destruction of nature.

Eponymous species

• Oreoglanis nakasathieni Vidthayanon, Saenjundaeng & Ng, 2009– freshwater batfish

External links

• Seub Nakhasathien Foundation website

References

• "Seub Nakhasathien: In memory of Thailand's hero of wildlife conservation", Bangkok Post, 8/31/2009.