Pattaya, Thailand-
A prominent Pattaya city leader announced yesterday, February 16th, 2021, that Pattaya and Jomtien beaches have been ranked in the top ten beaches by the Department of the Environment for Region 13 (Chonburi and the Eastern provinces) who reportedly reviewed every beach in the Eastern part of Thailand.
The announcement was made by Manot Nongyai, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City, who made the statement at an interview on Pattaya Beach. The period of review ran from 2018-2020.
The award was based on several criteria according to Mr. Nongyai:
1. Active participation in beach tourism and promotion from local officials
2. Conservation of the beach environment, including in regards to erosion
3. Building awareness of environmental and conservational factors, including endangered aquatic animals.
4. Resolving environmental complaints from relevant agencies and organizations
5. Supporting information given from the Department of the Environment
6. Partnerships with other sectors and agencies to drive the message around conservation and overall public relations
Mr. Nongyai said he was very proud of the work the city had done on the beaches, especially during the past year and the Covid-19 pandemic which, according to him, has seen a significant environmental “rebound” due to lack of tourists, speedboats, traffic, and other prominent factors. He stressed there was still a lot to do, citing the expansion of Jomtien Beach in the Na Jomtien area to fight erosion, the refurbishment and improvement of Pattaya Beach which includes better landscaping and public restrooms, and quality of life improvements involving drainage, but stressed the work had come a long way and was continuing.
As a note, the full list of beaches that had won the Department of Environment (DOE) awards was not immediately revealed by Mr. Nongyai during the press reveal. We will update this article when that information is given as it has been requested from the DOE.