Licuala pitta

Satellite imagery of the type locality near the Khuan Khereethan Reservoir shows that there has been forest clearance both immediately around the reservoir as well as into the surrounding hills up to around 500 m asl, which roughly corresponds with the borders of the neighboring protected area of Khlong Kruewai Chalearm Phrakiat Wildlife Sanctuary and extends beyond the elevation at which this species was recorded. Deforested land appears to be being used for agriculture or plantations. Tree cover loss data from Global Forest Watch (2023) shows that there is an ongoing decline in tree cover both around Khuan Khereethan Reservoir and the wider Chanthaburi Province over the past 20 years. Despite its protected status, tree cover loss is apparent within the Khlong Kruewai Chalearm Phrakiat Wildlife Sanctuary, particularly along its borders which is evidence of the encroachment of human activities. Therefore, this species is considered to be vulnerable to habitat loss or clearance of individual trees.

This species probably occurs in Khlong Kreuwai Chalearm Phrakiat Wildlife Sanctuary (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023). There are no reported ex situ collections of this palm (BGCI 2023), though images on Palmpedia (2023) show it growing in Nong Nooch Botanic Garden in Thailand.