The discovery of a dead pilot whale (short fin whale) in Songkhla province with 80 plastic bags in its stomach has awakened many Thais to the issue of marine litter and the threat of the plastic soup to the marine ecosystem.
Thailand should certainly take this matter seriously because the country is one of the ten top polluters in the world (all from Asia) and is in sixth place.
For the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), the discovery of the dead animal and the 8 kilos of plastic in its stomach is a reason to raise public awareness of the consequences of marine pollution. Every year, hundreds of marine animals (sea turtles, whales and dolphins) die because they mistake floating plastic in the sea for food. For example, a thin plastic bag resembles a jellyfish.
DMCR director Jatuporn said Friday, on World Ocean Day, it will consult with plastic producers and users to see how they can reduce the amount of plastic in the sea. One of the measures being considered is the installation of nets in the estuaries in Samut Songkram and Samut Prakan to prevent waste from flowing into the sea. Next year the DMCR will buy special vessels to clean up the waste.
Maritime biologist Thon says that the discovery of the dead pilot whale is not an advertisement for Thailand. The whale's death has been reported in the media worldwide. He fears trade sanctions for 'unfriendly practices towards marine life'.
He points to a proposal from the EU to ban plastic straws and cutlery. He also calls on department stores to charge customers for plastic bags. A previous campaign by department stores to encourage customers to use fewer plastic bags had no effect. Things need to change drastically in Thailand.
About this blogger
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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Thailand, the hub of plastic waste dumping in the sea…
heavily fined and kicking a conscience….I love Thailand but they don't understand it….every time we are there we take a reusable bag from AH to put our groceries in and every time people look at us in the different shops incomprehensible because we don't want a plastic bag…..it will be a very long time, I'm afraid, before people will understand. Hopefully the realization will come now and if every tourist now refuses to accept plastic bags, people may come to the realization that things can be done differently….fingers crossed
This is a very old custom here and continues in the Supermarkets etc. You are required to have everything packed in plastic bags because then people can see that you have not stolen anything. Never mind the receipt. Not my reasoning but the Thai logic. I've given up on refusing this crap. No sense in long discussions.
I don't know where the bangkok post got the statistics from, but if only 500 aquatic animals per year die from plastic, then there is no problem or do they only count the animals they happen to find in Thailand? There are fish species that grow less, die prematurely and many of which can no longer reproduce because of the plastic. A fair amount of microplastic is already found in even the smallest shrimp species. Birds that eat fish are also dying in increasing numbers because of the plastic in their stomachs. This time it is positive from the European Union that they are going on the offensive against plastic use. Hopefully many countries and companies will follow. I try to use less plastic and the people around me, both Thai and non-Thai, also participate to a greater or lesser extent. Some tips: I always have a foldable bag with me in the car or moped. When I do my shopping at the 7-11 or lotus I always say “mai auw thoeng plastic” in other words: I don't want a plastic bag. Some look at you in astonishment and others say, very good, thank you. In a restaurant or bar I say “Mai auw roh” I don't want a straw. Sometimes it's in my clean glass anyway, but yes, we keep laughing. I heard on TV that 2,5 billion straws are used every day. One-time. Some end up directly in the sea, others crumble into microplastics on the rubbish dump and eventually end up in the sea via the groundwater or flooding via the river in a year or 100 years. 2,5 billion plastic straws per day.
Drastic measures will have to be taken, such as the issue of duo bins similar to those we have in the Netherlands. Separate waste per household. Waste companies that go door-to-door with specially prepared trucks, as in the Netherlands, and collect the waste in the bins. Subsequently, proper waste processing at specialized companies, where the waste is delivered. The municipalities will have to be held jointly and severally responsible for an adequate policy, implementation and supervision. Support and sanctions for non-functioning or non-functioning. Fines and checks on households that do not use this system and dump their garbage bags all the time.
Targeted advertising and continuous attention to this environmental crime. Through the supermarket chain, because that's where most Thais buy their goods. Think of the 7-ens, Family market and (mini) Big c. Incidentally, these companies sell portable bags for little, but the racks are usually quite hidden afterwards. Collect and clean up litter. In short, too much to mention and you can do this to the Thai people. I almost feel sorry for them. How the hell do you get through to them. Of course, the same story applies to many other Asian countries that are in the top 10.
I think we should complain a little less, because we are guests here and always criticize and point the finger, we shouldn't want it. But there is hope, because people are aware of it and are going to take measures, as indicated. So back in wait and see mode, something I need to learn, but will I ever succeed.
Jacques, which country are you talking about? Thailand?
Then you must have noticed that rubbish bins - and what looks like it - are scoured at night by dogs and rats and that at first light people take the remains out for the sale of glass, iron, plastic bottles and whatever else. 'trade' is discarded. That's why it's often such a 'mess' in those places.
Do you want to put things in order or even place duo bins? Fines? Forget it. As long as people here have to live off waste, there will be no separation. They tip it over on the street….
We are primarily talking about plastic bags and that is where you should start. The 'seven' indeed, but in the Netherlands you are still thrown to death with those things. This will take years unless you intervene rigorously like some African countries.
Dear Erik, I am talking about Thailand and make a comparison with the Netherlands. We have found a reasonable solution for this in the Netherlands. I agree with you that the primary focus should be on plastic. That is the biggest problem and in the Netherlands this is done by the duo bin, where the plastic is extracted separately, with the correct collection methods and vehicles and waste processing. My idea would be to introduce these bins and further handling method in Thailand and place them on the property in such a way that it cannot be abused by all kinds of vermin. The responsibility lies with the individual and I can expect something from that and if not, I'm prepared for the consequences. With us in the moo track this can be applied in this way and ditto in many places. I am aware that this is not the case everywhere and extra measures will therefore have to be taken to make it possible there as well. The morning stars are known to me and action must also be taken against them. When I see them, officials can see this too. Also people who live on waste, which is appalling and degrading. Stop that nonsense. Offering alternatives and assistance to those in need. So much can still be improved here in Thailand. In some African countries where this is being tackled, in my view people have gone too far with the penalty. There will also be a report from some committee, which will disapprove of this. But I am well aware that much stricter action must be taken, weak healers make stinking wounds.
When will Tesco Lotus / Big C etc stop with the plastic bags. Western companies, but the environment apparently does not interest them.
Dear Jan, it starts with the government.
If they are going to ban it or there will be a new law that companies must comply with.
In my mind, that will take a long time.
If it will happen, this will be a nice expense for companies that they will not easily pay
will implement.
In my opinion, plastic should be banned soon.
Yours faithfully,
Erwin
Of course not. Profit must be made or shareholders will get angry. Money, Money, Money, it's a rich man's world. (ABBA)
We ourselves will have to set a good example every day. We have been bringing AH bags from the Netherlands in recent years. People are still surprised at the checkout, but understanding will certainly come.
This problem should wake up the whole world!
It is clear that the problem is not the plastic packaging. It is known that paper packaging is very harmful to the environment. From logging to the use of harmful chemicals for production.
No, the problem is with people. Why do you have to dump plastic waste, which also applies to all other waste, in the river or sea? Now put big fines on it. And don't come up with a nonsensical ban on plastic straws or cotton swabs….
Supermarkets in the Netherlands are so-called concerned with the environment. I have the impression that it is financially convenient for them not to provide plastic bags anymore. Just look at how all pre-packaged products are packaged there. The plastic shopping bags are very meager in terms of quantities. And the so-called separate processing of waste also leads to mafia earning practices by some municipalities. Not separating turns out to be easier and cheaper to process than divorced. But yes, who wakes up.
What always struck me in Thailand is that late at night all waste oil from restaurants and food stalls is simply dumped into the rain wells. And then complain when it rains that the wells can't drain the water. Even sewer pipes of one meter in diameter cannot offer a solution for this.
With us in the sois there are open empty oil barrels everywhere that work as waste barrels and are emptied once a week with garbage trucks. Separated waste is simply thrown into the garbage truck together with all other waste. Bulky waste is not taken or collected. So there is everything. Mattress, chairs, broken sofa, mats, etc, etc. and more and more are added. I was told I was the only one who had something to say about it. For the rest no comment.
Sometimes I am surprised about the Thai and see that there are indeed good examples of environmentally conscious people. At our market in Pattaya, a large ditch ripples from south to north and is located in the middle between the morning and afternoon market. Much of the market waste ended up in this ditch and caused problems such as blockages and environmental nuisance. The market owner has installed a fence along this ditch, so that litter can no longer enter the ditch. A pleasure to look at and will have cost a lot of money, because we are talking about about 400 hundred meters in length. Large signs have been placed on the bridge parts of the ditch with the text 1000 bath fine for pollution. heap.
If a few more whales/dolphins don't die in the meantime, nobody will talk about it after 2 weeks.
Supers (7Eleven, Tesco, BIG c etc) should simply be obliged to charge TBH 50 per plastic bag to be handed out. Until that happens, everything will remain the same. Unfortunately.
sorry for the whale but maybe this can shock the Thai about the use of their plastic bags. that they are now really going to realize that it is not necessary to really "pack a plastic bag in another plastic bag". It is hopeful when I hear that the Thai government plans to introduce a tax on plastic bags in the future…
Just bought a new lamp. The saleswoman asked - with a look of "no, right" - if I wanted a plastic bag with it. Said, of course, that it was not necessary.
The beginning is there?
Let's nuance our own environmental awareness somewhat, because according to the Bangkok Post, Dutch plastic waste is also sent to Thailand. That way we keep our own country reasonably clean, but to say that we are so committed to the environment, well no.
That the shops and shopping malls take an example from Makro if you buy there you do not get a single plastic bag with it, you can buy a bag from Makro for 25 Bath and are the same bags as in Europe at Aldi or Lidl or GB and you have to buy those too and they last a long time have two for when I go shopping