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Erika Brincat visits Thailand and talks to businessman Joseph Xuereb about the creation of an Eco-friendly Bamboo Plantation. Thailand is known as the land of smiles and we are greeted by warm-hearted, friendly people wherever we go, so it is no surprise that Joseph has chosen Pattayaís outskirts as his second home.
The countrysideís abundant environment is where the co-director of TipTopCommercial has decided to put down his roots, quite literally, and be responsible for the supply of a socially-sensitive and eco-friendly raw material.
 We sit in his living room surrounded by comfortable bamboo furniture and Joseph explains why he decided to move to Thailand in the first place: ìThe idea sprouted in 1999 during a sky-dive in Australia. However to start growing bamboo from scratch in Australia with the wages and price of property as they are, it would have been a big financial burden, so I decided to try things out in Thailand. While I was here on business I spoke to a friend who was starting up a real estate business and after a few weeks, a raped and desertificated but potential Garden of Eden was presented to me. The land is perfect because its less than 10 minutes away from a deep water shipping harbour and about 15 minutes away from Pattaya. Nestled between these two places, the idea of growing bamboo on a commercial basis to make Complete Knock Down (CKD) Furniture and ship it to Malta where it would be assembled and finished for the local market and also for export.î
I ask him why he has decided to create a bamboo plantation rather than a resort and he tells me: ìIt boils down to my personal point of view in life which is not just to make money fast in which case I would have developed the land and sold houses, however my intention is to prove that you neednít kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
ìThailand is a tropical country with an age-old culture, which means that all the necessary wisdom is there. So it is absolutely mind-boggling that nearly all the development here is based on the style of Western houses, with all the energy consuming gyzmos attached.î
What does the creation of an Eco-Grove really mean? ìThe plan is to have the whole place running on sustainable energy. Even the running water of a stream can generate power by using a watermill. The land can be beautiful, soothing and a joy to live on as well as provide us with all the necessities of modern lifeÖ
ìInstead of building a ënormalí house that exudes carbon, this one will be absorbing it. Bamboo walls are made from harvested or live bamboo and they soak up carbon, and the evaporative affect of water keeps the house cool so you donít need air conditioning. It is a proven fact that the difference of temperature is 10 degrees just by planting a small belt of bamboo around the house. What more do you need? Power from wind, water, and solar generation. All this in itself creates rebates which governments are being forced to introduce to curb the dependence on oil and fossil fuels. The waste of any visitors will also provide nutrients for the land.î
What are some of the most fascinating things bamboo can provide? ì70 acres planted with bamboo can provide 1,000 houses annually, while for any other commercially grown wood you need 210 acres in order to produce a 1,000 houses every 10 yearsÖ One of the biggest tangible advantages is that it can replace the destruction of hard wood forests for uses such as paper, utensils, flooring, scaffolding, basketsÖî
Oyster-shaped pool formations with staggered waterfalls and anaconda-like canals winding their way through the land catch my attention. Joseph explains the concept behind them, ìThe land consists of 25 acres. What Iím doing now is observing how nature sculpts and shapes when given a free rein and than working by example. It gets very hot here and having a passageway and a chasm to walk through deep in the heart of the land, where temperatures can reach 40 degrees, elevates the heat tremendously. When the monsoon comes the whole canal is filled to the brim. Itís a form of natural irrigation and if I need to pump up the water I can use a windmill, solar energy or hand power. I find flowing shapes more beautiful, as in nature you hardly ever find straight lines.î
ìWhen I first arrived we experienced a drought for 6 months which set alarm bells ringing for me that the wide-scale construction industry has adversely affected the local microclimate due to the wanton destruction of the trees left from the original onslaught of the construction boom about 10 years ago. This made me realise that before planting bamboo I would need to have an adequate supply of water. So I started making deep wells sculptured naturally by erosion and left them for 6 months to take shape by the elements. It is an excellent form of water storage doubling up as water for fish rearing, creating a cooling effect and nurturing and sustaining the bamboo at the same time.
ìThanks to the leaf litter and mulch provided by the bamboo growing, we now also have papaya, mango, coconut, pineapple, and banana trees growing. We planted many endemic trees too. Mostly it is a nursery for bamboo. In one year we have an ongoing harvest if they are looked after. So I am also expanding the local availability of bamboo and helping people to see its financial benefits. In fact my neighbours have started growing bamboo too!î
During the time I spent visiting the plantation it became evident that Joseph has discovered the joy of living in balance with nature by putting down his roots there, so I wondered whether he would advise others who also want to see their ideas take shape, to take the leap. ìEveryone has their own particular way of using the time we have been given. In my 42 years of living I have never been more full of energy, humour, and appreciation. However running around barefoot in a bush may not be everyoneís cup of tea.
ìI am here because growing bamboo on a large-scale needs space. Yes, I would advise anyone to take the leap. Lifeís too short not to appreciate our humble beginningsÖ when we realise how wonderful and rich we really are just by being connected to nature and giving back some of our time to nature. The beauty of seeing something grow fills you with vigour to witness this benevolent power everywhere around us ñ knowing God without any human interpreters. I call it D.C. power ñ Direct Connection!
ìFor me success in a few words is being able to give, not just to take. During the next five years my plan is to grow and distribute bamboo continuously. The price is going to be ridiculously cheap and hopefully I will also be able to show all the costings for people wishing to take a leap of faith and create a few sparks themselves.
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