Divers help out on Earth Day

PHUKET: More than 100 people took part in beach and underwater cleanups on Tuesday as part of Earth Day activities held on and around the island.

In addition to the Royal Thai Navy, private companies took part in the cleanups on the beach and in the sea at Koh Racha Noi and Koh Racha Yai.

“More than 30 people were on our boat Scuba Fun,” Sarah Kench of Scuba Cat told the Gazette.

“We collected 160 kilos of rubbish [at Koh Racha Yai], including fishing nets, plastic bottles, three tires, household rubbish and even clothing,” she said.

The collection required two group dives of one hour each, she added.

The underwater cleanup was just part of the dive company’s commitment to maintaining dive sites, Ms Kench explained.

“We cleaned that particular bay because we moor there from June through September. We use it, so we look after it,” she said.

Meanwhile, in Phuket City, Phuket Agriculture and Co-operatives Office chief Tanassanee Sawasdirak led activities at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, where pesticide-free, hydroponically grown fruit and vegetables were on sale to encourage healthy eating.

The fruit and vegetables, ranging from lettuce and capsicums to green beans and onions, were grown by the Natural Green Farm on Kwang Rd in Wichit.