Keep Phuket Clean – a grass roots community clean-up program created by the Summer in Phuket campaign received a major boost by the Government who are initiating a 2 baht per plastic shopping bag charge for all major retailers in Phuket including Central, Jungceylon, Big C, Tesco Lotus etc starting on Dec 5^th.

There will be a major campaign launch with the Governor of Phuket on Dec 4^th at CENTRAL where over 500 people will celebrate this important shift in policy strategy that will aim to reduce plastic bag usage by 50% within the first twelve months.

Plastic bags in Phuket are a major component of todays throw away society, and are emblematic of a garbage crisis in Phuket. Each and every day Phuket generates around 500 tonnes of garbage, with around half incinerated and half going to landfill. With a new incinerator two years away, and forecasts of up to 1,000 tonnes per day by 2015 it is critical that Phuket embraces a change in attitude towards waste, and this change is fully supported by local government, retailers and consumers.

About 70% of Phukets tourists come from countries that have implemented a plastic bag reduction strategy and will be viewed internationally as a positive move. Plastic bags clog drains causing flooding, catch water when loose in the environment and breed mosquitos, increasing Dengue and Chikungunya disease. Plastic bags in the water are eaten by marine life such as dolphins and turtles rapidly diminishing what few marine animals are left in the Phuket area and polluting our tourism destinations such as Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay.

For further details about Summer in Phuket visit www.summerinphuket.com

Today is a good day to write something here for my beloved Phuket. It’s windy outside with the possibility of rain. But I do hope all people of Phuket will show their love to the island with ‘Keeping Phuket Clean’ campaign this afternoon.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, please see ‘Summer in Phuket ‘campaign website or below

‘KEEP PHUKET CLEAN’ NOW A MONTHLY ISLAND-WIDE PROGRAM

5,000 Participants Expected For Next Island Clean Up August 6th

Phuket, Thailand: The next island-wide Keep Phuket Clean effort has been set for Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 3:00 PM in 28 different locations around the island. Organizers expect over 5,000 volunteers at this month’s clean up and an even broader involvement from Phuket’s schools, charitable organizations, construction industry and local government. Future clean ups have been scheduled for the first Thursday of every month till December 2009.

Last month’s Keep Phuket Clean effort saw excellent progress being achieved in new areas around the island. The fishing village on the south end of Bangtao which has been dramatically cleaned up with the support of the staff at the Amanpuri, will post signage and promote itself as the Bangtao Fish market – the west coast’s only fresh daily fish market. Other new locations include a Chalong focus, expansion into Phuket Town and the mangrove area of Kok Tanod. Importantly RPM, Boat Lagoon, Ao Po area and Yacht Haven have all been involved and are making plans to expand the coverage area.

“The community is getting behind this campaign and seeing real improvement in beach maintenance, public areas such as beach parking and there has been concerted efforts by the local Or Bor Tor in each location to improve waste management and support building public awareness”,” say Nick Anthony spokesperson for the Summer in Phuket campaign, “The last three clean ups have been principally supported and co-ordinated by the hotels and we seek now to broaden the involvement into the community, and to continue to expand the monthly coverage. Phang Nga province is joining us on the 6th and will start both Natai Beach and Khao Lak regular cleanups. Phi Phi Island is also starting their campaign.”

The Keep Phuket Clean community outreach program’s goal, using education and private sector support, is to make the Phuket residents, hotels, small businesses and tourists more aware of the island’s fragile eco-system and the impact that we have on its flora, fauna and surrounding waters and marine reserves. Also, as part of the ‘Summer in Phuket’ campaign, the Keep Phuket Clean program provides an opportunity to spread positive messages about Phuket to the world.

Please see the list of beach locations, times and local organizers below or visit ‘Summer in Phuket’ campaign website

August 6th Island wide

Keep Phuket Clean Location Schedule

Key areas are all scheduled to start at 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009 unless otherwise stated. If the weather doesn’t cooperate the event will take place the following day on August 7th. Until December the groups will continue to meet every month, on the first Thursday of the month: September 3rd, October 1st, November 5th and December 3rd. Those interested in participating can get further information for their particular area at www.summerinphuket.com or email info@summerinphuket.com

THURSDAY AUGUST 6th

Mai Khao Beach, Zone 1: JW Marriott co-ordinating, meet at the park area between JW Marriott and Sala Phuket

Mai Khao Beach, Zone 2: West Sands co-ordinating, meet on West Sands North Boundary

Naithon Beach: Trisara co-ordinating, general beach and community clean from the Middle

Bangtao Beach, Zone 1: Meeting at the Layan National Park

Bangtao Beach, Zone 2: Reggae Bar

Bangtao Beach, Zone 3: Best Western co-ordinating beach and community clean from Best Western South, particularly the Klong area

Bangtao Beach, Zone 4: 9.00am start. Fishing Village, klong and village areas meeting at Amancruise area. (In need of additional support)

Surin Beach: 3.30pm start. Split into 4 Zones, co-ordinated by Marriott Courtyard, meet at car park at the beach

Laem Sing Beach: Road cleanup Surin – Laem sing complete, meet at Main car park

Kamala Beach, Zone 1: Courtyard Marriott co-ordinating North end with board riders association

Kamala Beach, Zone 2: Large gathering at Smile Bar to focus on the local community/police station area

Kamala Beach, Zone 3: Andara, Cape Sienna and Rockfish co-ordinating the school/temple and klong area

Kalim Beach: Indochine and LIMS Restaurant co-ordinating a full beach clean and Klong area

Karon Beach: 10am start General beach and community clean with full support of Hotels. Meet outside Moevenpick and Hilton

Kata Beach: Co-ordinated by The Boathouse. Beach & community clean

Kata Noi: Supported by Villa Royale and Kata gardens

Nai Harn Beach: General beach clean

Rawai Beach: Evason co-ordinating the beach clean and local community

The Aquarium: Sri Panwa co-ordinating the area clean up

Cape Panwa: Cape Panwa co-ordinating beach clean

Chalong Beach: Chalong Pier meeting ground, co-ordinated cleanup by K Methee and Kan Eang restaurant plus dive shops

Kok Tanod Mangove Area: Mangrove planting and area cleaning (confirm details with nick@indigoRE.com )

Phuket Town: Meeting at Soi Romanee

Royal Phuket Marina: Meet at Les Anges

Boat Lagoon: Meet at Watermark

Ao Po Area: Meet at the pier

Yacht Haven: Meet at top of Marina drive and fan into Village

Khao Lak and Natai Beach details please ask

FRIDAY AUGUST 7th

Nai Yang Beach: 4.00pm start on Friday 7th August. Indigo Pearl & DEWA co-ordinating, general beach and community from in front. of both hotels

TUESDAY AUGUST 11th

Patong Beach: 9.00 am start on all the beach and waterfront tourist areas. Over 35 hotels are now involved and will meet in front of the Holiday Inn and fan North and South.

Your efforts count, and your support is much appreciated.
It gets easier and easier!