Phuket mass cleanup underway, aims to include everyone

PHUKET: Phuket joined a global campaign to make the world a better place by launching a four-day cleanup yesterday aimed at making everyone “an environment ranger”.

Past cleanup campaigns focused on hotels, said Chodchoy Sophonpanich, president of Phuket Magic Eyes, an anti-litter organization. The current cleanup campaign aims to involve everyone.

Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, on hand at Bang Tao beach to launch the campaign, agreed.

“Every community, organization, house and person has to help take care of the environment together,” he said.

“We want to teach people to care more about the environment in their own area,” Ms Chodchoy added.

The cleanup is a joint effort by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) along with Magic Eyes and environmental protection group SEEK (Society Environmental Economy Knowledge).

Cleanup projects across the island began yesterday and will continue until Monday (story here).

Natalie Kamolwattanasoontorn, Resident Manager at Dusit Thani Laguna Resort, supported the campaign, saying that the Dusit Thani held Bang Tao beach cleanups every week.

“Our staff join with local organizations and local people to do the clean up,” she said.

A big cleanup project is also scheduled for Bang Tao beach in November, said Ma-ann Samran, president of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization.

“We are cooperating with hotels and communities to do this cleanup and we will also invite tourists to be a part of it,” Mr Ma-ann said.

“Environmental awareness is growing on Phuket,” said Ms Chodchoy. “A beautiful island is our goal.”

— Irfarn Jamdukor