Bangkok, 25 December, 2019 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) marked the 3rd year of its “Upcycling the Oceans, Thailand” clean-up effort with a “Shade of Blue Ocean” activity, held on 20-21 December, 2019, at Commemoration Public Park, Ban Phe in the eastern coastal province of Rayong.
“The project is part of the TAT’s CSR strategy. It reaffirms our commitment to promoting responsible tourism and our leadership role in driving green initiatives. By instilling environmental consciousness among the tourists, tourism operators and local communities, we believe that it will help reduce tourism-related waste despite growing tourist numbers in the country.”
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor
The two-day ‘Shade of Blue Ocean’ activity was attended by over 500 participants comprising figures and representatives from TAT and partners, the local administration, communities, tourism businesses, volunteers, divers and the locals.
As well as the beach clean-up effort, participants also took part in experiential learning activities including the categorisation of waste for proper management and recycling processing, as well as gained more knowledge at the ‘Shade of Blue Ocean’ and ‘Responsibility Rayong’ panel discussions. The event’s venue was also decorated with materials made from recycled waste products along with an exhibition on DIY waste items.
The “Shade of Blue Ocean” is part of the “Upcycling the Oceans, Thailand” project, which was launched in 2017 under collaboration between TAT, PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) and the Ecoalf Foundation. The project aims to preserve the Kingdom’s sea and coastal areas as well as to promote upcycling plastic waste initiatives.
Under the “Upcycling the Oceans, Thailand”, the mass underwater and beach clean-up pilot activity in Ko Samet, Rayong, held in September 2017, cleaned up 618.90 kilogrammes of waste. The follow-up activity in Phuket, held in January 2018, cleared 852.60 kilogrammes of waste off the beaches and underwater.
One of the project’s three founding partners, PTTGC plays a leading role in campaigning for the transformation of plastic debris into polyester fibre and fabric to make fashionable clothing. Under its ‘circular living’ concept, the company is encouraging society to adopt a new and responsible approach to using plastic in a way that contribute to better living.
