Patong Beach ceremony marks World Oceans Day, urges marine protection

In honour of World Oceans Day (yesterday), a ceremony took place at Patong Beach, Phuket, with officials urging increased efforts to protect the marine environment. The event was presided over by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan and attended by Wissanu Jaengjai, Director of the Region 10 Office of Marine and Coastal Resources, Sanakorn Kisin, Deputy Mayor of Patong, and representatives from various sectors.

The concept of World Ocean Day was initiated in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada. The United Nations officially recognised the event in 2008, and it has been celebrated worldwide on June 8 ever since. This year’s theme was “Planet Ocean: Tides are changing,” The Phuket News reported.

Wissanu encouraged people in Phuket and around the world to mark the day and commit to a more responsible and sustainable approach to protecting oceans and their inhabitants, including sharks, sea turtles, ecosystems, and corals. He added that this approach aligns with the central government’s policy and the commitment of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to addressing the degradation of ecosystems and the marine environment in a sustainable manner.

Sanakorn Kisin emphasised that Patong Municipality has its own ocean, environment, and beach conservation policy, which has led to 32 public engagement campaigns to raise awareness about the critical situation. Regular beach clean-ups and a robust approach to waste management are cornerstones of promoting Patong as a pleasant and liveable location, as well as a world-class tourist destination, he added.

Moreover, there are regular scuba diving exercises to retrieve garbage from the ocean and instances where newborn turtles are released into the water to further enhance the overall health of marine life, Kisin said.

In related news, Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources has urged citizens to conserve water by refraining from littering, emphasising the importance of environmental stewardship for the nation’s well-being. Read more HERE.