Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry urges locals and visitors alike to reduce the use of disposable plastic cups, bottles and bags, which harm the environment. The ministry, with support from travel agents, will roll out a campaign calling on hotels, restaurants, and cafes to switch to environmentally-friendly biodegradable food containers.
Every year, around 2,000 tons of plastic waste is thrown away in Bangkok alone, of which only 16% is recycled, said Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat, who added that the figure is growing by 10% annually.
Expedia's annual ‘Flip Flop Report’ notes that 12% tourists vacation in Thailand each year, so the reckless dumping of plastic waste could lead to an ecological disaster within a decade.
Thailand is the first Asian country to join Upcycling the Oceans, a global initiative aimed at cleaning the oceans of debris. As part of the campaign, divers who harvest litter from the ocean earn discounts on dive trips in return for helping protect Thailand’s marine ecosystem.