Cabinet’s coastal crusade: 3 notifications to protect Andaman Sea

The Cabinet approved three ministerial notifications aimed at protecting the environment in Phang Nga, Krabi, and Ranong, three coastal provinces along the Andaman Sea.

Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Police General Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, announced yesterday, May 29, that two notifications from his ministry had received approval during a meeting held yesterday.

The approved notifications focus on environmental protection measures in Phangnga’s districts of Khura Buri, Takua Pa, Thai Muang, Thap Put, Takua Thung, Koh Yao, and Muang, as well as Krabi’s districts of Ao Luk, Nua Khlong, Khlong Thom, Koh Lanta, and Mueang, Pol. Gen. Phatcharavat stated.

“The measures will prohibit activities that are harmful to local ecosystems.

“As part of these measures, local factories will be required to possess machinery and tools for controlling pollution and addressing environmental problems.”

Factories in these areas will also need to ensure that at least half of their land is capable of absorbing water, with 50% of these water-absorbent areas being designated as green spaces. Additionally, the height of buildings within a 100-metre radius of historical sites will be restricted.

The Cabinet has also approved another notification by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry concerning the protection of marine and coastal resources in the Mu Ko Phayam Islands area in Ranong’s Mueang district, reported Bangkok Post.

The new measures will ban activities such as leaving litter, releasing wastewater, snorkelling and diving, feeding sea creatures, fishing, reclaiming land, and dropping anchors into the sea in this area.

In related news, in a bid to protect the local environment and maintain the tourist appeal of Phuket, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan urged local authorities to take firm action against pollution.

The concern comes amid an increasing accumulation of fishing net waste and monsoon debris in Phuket and its adjacent marine areas, which poses a significant threat to the tourism industry and the marine ecosystem.