As of 2025, Bueng Si Fai Lake in Phichit Province remains one of Central Thailand’s key ecosystems. In July 2024, provincial authorities proposed a water management project involving a so-called “monkey cheek” reservoir — a system to store and regulate water flow, helping mitigate droughts and floods.
What Is a 'Monkey Cheek'?
The term “monkey cheek” (Thai: cheep luing) is a metaphor for temporary water storage in adjacent wetlands, like a monkey storing food in its cheeks. The system includes:
- Controlled reservoirs and dikes
- Drainage and filling systems adjusted seasonally
- Use of natural marshes for water retention
The project is part of the national “Smart Water Management” strategy, launched after the 2011 floods.
Ecological Importance of Bueng Si Fai
The lake, covering about 5,300 rai (~84.8 km²), is:
- Home to over 120 bird species, including rare ones: grey heron, cormorant, osprey
- Wetland of international importance
- Ramsar Site since 1998 (Site No. 897)
- Habitat for rare fish and plants
It plays a vital role in preserving biodiversity in the Isan region.
Conservation Status: The 'Delisting' Myth
The claim that the lake was removed from the Ramsar List is inaccurate. According to the Ramsar Database, Bueng Si Fai remains a protected wetland. Any status change requires formal notification and international review.
However, dredging operations began in 2024 as part of a restoration effort for the silted-up lake.
Lake Rehabilitation
From 2023–2024, 4.6 million THB was allocated for Bueng Si Fai’s restoration. Work includes:
- Removing invasive aquatic plants (e.g., water hyacinth)
- Dredging to restore depth and water flow
- Water quality and biodiversity monitoring
- Training locals in sustainable fishing
The project is led by the Department of Water Resources with WWF Thailand and Kasetsart University.
National Lake Restoration Program
Bueng Si Fai is part of a broader initiative to restore key water bodies. The 2023–2026 plan includes:
- Bueng Boraphet (Nakhon Sawan) — Thailand’s largest freshwater lake
- Kwan Phayao (Phayao) — mountain lake in the north
- Nong Han (Udon Thani) — key ecological hub in the northeast
Total funding: over 1.2 billion THB.
Controversies & Dialogue
The “monkey cheek” project sparked debate:
- Environmentalists fear disruption to bird migration and plant loss
- Farmers and fishers support it for reliable water access
In 2024, a public hearing with 30 agencies reached a compromise: construction only in non-protected zones and ongoing ecological monitoring.
Relevance in 2025
As of 2025, the project is in the detailed landscape and environmental impact assessment phase. Construction will begin only after approval from the National Environment Board (NEB).
The goal is not to replace nature, but to achieve synergy between engineering and ecosystem resilience.
Conclusion
Although Bueng Si Fai faces pressure from climate change and human activity, by 2025 Thailand shows a mature approach to natural resource management. The “monkey cheek” project is not a threat, but an attempt to balance human needs with nature. True success will be measured not in water volume, but in the 120 bird species that still return here every winter.
Sources:
— Department of Water Resources (DWR): «Bueng Si Fai Water Management Project 2024»
— Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment: «Ramsar Sites in Thailand»
— Ramsar Convention: «Site 897 – Bueng Si Fai»
— Bangkok Post: «Balancing Water and Wildlife at Bueng Si Fai», July 2024
— WWF Thailand: «Wetland Conservation Report 2024»
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