Phang-nga Bay to receive a well deserved cleaning

PHUKET: To prepare for a promising high season, the Phuket Canoe Club, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and Phang-Nga Bay National Park have announced plans for their 3rd annual “Cleaning Day” in Phang-Nga Bay, to be held on Sunday, July 9. According to figures supplied by 17 canoe companies in Phuket, 70,791 tourists from outside Asia, and 41,200 from within the region, went on canoeing trips in Phang-Nga Bay last year. During the first four months of this year, the total number has increased by 2-3 percent. The Phuket Canoe Club predicts a 9 percent increase for the full year. Paradej Phayakvichien, Governor of the TAT, will serve as chairman of the event. Groups will be assigned to pick up trash in designated areas on the main islands, such as Panyee Island, James Bond Island, and Hong Island. “About 80 students from Phuket and Phang-Nga are coming with us to help. We all want to give something back to the area,” said Banyad Yuenan, manager of the Phuket Canoe Club. For more information about Phang-nga Bay “Cleaning Day”, contact the Phuket Canoe Club (Tel: 221656) or the Phuket office of the TAT (211036).