Pattaya-
Yesterday, the city of Pattaya joined the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Bangchak Corporation Plc on a campaign to reduce plastic waste in the tourism industry.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said responsible tourism will be the flagship project next year. The agency aims to cut plastic waste from the tourism industry in half in 2020. Pattaya is to be a centerpiece of this effort and Eco and nature Tourism is expected to become a significant attraction to the area.
Bangchak president Chaiwat Kovavisarach said the company is highlighting green issues, including the circular economy and the recycling process.
Used plastic bottles can be deposited at Bangchak’s 262 petrol stations for recycling.
A leatherback turtle statue made with plastic bottles from the project, to be officially launched on Dec 18, will serve as a new landmark to create environmental awareness at Jomtien beach in Chon Buri province, near Pattaya, for the next six months.
Pattaya has also been a focus point of groups focused on sustainable tourism and has a three day PATA forum with one of the major focuses being just that over the next several days.
Groups aligned with sustainable tourism believe that tourists to Pattaya’s interests are switching from activities such as drinking or partying to helping save the environment, cleaning up pollution and beaches, visiting nature trails, experiencing authentic Thai culture and architecture and helping reduce their own waste.
Source: Bangkok Post, PATA
