Why are they so concerned with plastic bags but couldn't care less about pollution levels?

[WineOh]

morning chaps, hazardous pollution levels yet again throughout much of Thailand today and it's got me thinking. What are this so called government doing to tackle the issue of hazardous particles in the air? It seems they are doing nothing. Why have they banned plastic bags but arent doing anything about the amount of cars on the roads, or people burning s**t in their farms/gardens and factory emissions? seems the whole banning of plastic bags in supermarkets is way too short sighted and is only the tip of the tip of the iceberg. I know this whole thing is currently a trend in the west and maybe they are copying them? pressure from america maybe???

[impulse]

Low hanging fruit...

 

[darksidedog]

Quite possibly because they didn't actually have to do very much. There is a massive amount of plastic out there including whole floating islands of the stuff, so a reduction has to be a good thing. Trying though to get a population which doesn't understand how individual actions accumulate into a massive problem, would take lots of really hard work and generate howls of protest, both of which this government seems keen to avoid.

[Tayaout]

One thing at a time. 

[WineOh]

4 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

. Trying though to get a population which doesn't understand how individual actions accumulate into a massive problem, would take lots of really hard work and generate howls of protest, both of which this government seems keen to avoid.

looks like we are going to be choking for years to come then

great.

[neeray]

19 minutes ago, Liverpoolfan said:

Why have they banned plastic bags but arent doing anything about the amount of cars on the roads, or people burning s**t in their farms/gardens and factory emissions?

This is an excellent thread idea. Thank you for starting it.

[Puchaiyank]

The Thais are painfully aware of the losses to tourism...the economy...and long range health risk for it's people.

 

They have no answer to the problem.  Look for groups of Thais to hold prayer vigils as the government flounder...

[madmen]

There will ALWAYS be something else they need to do.  eg Fix the pollution but what about road deaths , what about corruption etc etc. Its a good thing what they have done and should be praised for it

[30la]

Reducing plastic bags is easier and less work is also involved!
As you know, the Thai government with all its institutions are not great friends with much work, probably if some of the big shops make some noise, plastic bags will be allowed.
For me, Thailand has become the country of noise, rubbish, putrid air and sweet doing nothing for those up there!

[30la]

23 hours ago, Tayaout said:

One thing at a time. 

This is enough for now, in the next ten years we think what to do ....????

[alant]

Agree the total inaction to the burning problem and the any excuse will do is a problem, early January and the air is already unhealthy here in Chiang Mai. I am hoping it doesn't get to last years levels but who knows.

Those that burn seem not to be the ones effected but the impact of the pollution financially and finances seem to be the only thing that matter in Thailand. Health? Not our problem...

[Aspaltso]

The answer to your question lies in the fact that Thailand is only interested in doing things if there is a "Public Relations" angle behind it. Since its been big news that the oceans are filling full of plastic and SE Asian nations are some of the biggest culprits they've decided to go that route. Thailand is an environmental catastrophe. From Deforestation, to Chemicals in the soil, to the air pollution you are all experiencing now. It's a disaster.

Edited January 10, 2020 by Aspaltso

[Classic Ray]

Reducing plastic bags is an easy win for the Government as it gets brownie points with Western nations concerned with the effect on their environment and saves their mates in the retail trade some money whilst providing them with the opportunity to sell bags to the public that they previously supplied free.

 

As atmospheric pollution is predominantly a local problem not affecting air-conditioned Government House and would cost their mates in the agricultural and transport conglomerates and law enforcement money to fix, it slips down the agenda.

[paddyfield7]

Because they cannot think - or at least not think it to the end!

[Elkski]

They tried these solar powered misters, not working when I saw them.   Who made money  on these?  How many dud they produce?  Stupid non battery design.  I cant imagine this solar panel and this pump could produce  most?  and they have those filter  units.  Haven't read any updates to those high power cosumptuon HEPA filter units.    I downloaded the motor specs so I could do some calculations on later.  

[Elkski]

I thought it was funny how dirty these small solar panels  were.   And 2 meter head rating  on ws that looked like almost 2x that.  Lets assume full 2 liters per minute with a 200 liter barrel.  Is this the thai mind? 

[Kinnock]

A plastic bag ban saves money for CP by reducing consumables costs in 7-11 and creating a new sales opportunity for cotton bags.  Real environmental controls would cost money for big business.

 

Banning importation of other countries plastic waste would also hit big Thai businesses.  So Government strategies are determined by the interests of their friends.

 

Same the world over, unfortunately, so the environment is never going to really improve.

Edited January 10, 2020 by Kinnock

[HHTel]

One small step is better than no steps at all!

[cyril sneer]

making people buy bags instead = profit

[elgenon]

Going under an overpass on my way to BKK from Patts there was an overhead spray down to the vehicles. For curbing pollution?

[Tracyb]

2 hours ago, Aspaltso said:

The answer to your question lies in the fact that Thailand is only interested in doing things if there is a "Public Relations" angle behind it. ........

I guess there is no Public Relations angle behind people dying of lung cancer and others choking and gagging in the streets, gasping for air.  

 

I guess I'm just wasting my breath here.....   and God knows I need to save it for "burning season"

[Isaan sailor]

Touchee!  Air quality a prime concern...gotta go now—today we burn wife’s rice paddies...

[hobz]

Pollution and road safety are too hard for the morons running the country to do anything about.

[Krataiboy]

I absolutely agree about the need to tackle - I'd argue prioritise - air pollution in LOS. Plastic may harm a lot of sea life, but toxic air kills between seven and eight million people a year worldwide - and the LOS death rate has risen nearly 20,000 in the past 20 years.

 

Traditionally, people flock to the seaside for "fresh air". Don't try that in Cha Am. The air quality is dreadful and has been for weeks, though exactly why is not clear. Local rubbish and rice field burning. . . pollution drifting from coastal factories between here and Bangkok?

 

Right now, the air quality index reading is an unhealthy 175, with a PM2.5 count nearly four times the WHO recommended safety limit of 25  µg/m³. Thailand has settled on a PM2.5 limit at 50 µg/m³, which speaks volumes for the cavalier official attitude to public health! 

 

These stats, pretty routine recently,  make our little seaside resort among the top ten most polluted places on the Air/Visual global list.

 

Their recommendation with air quality at its present dismal level is to stay inside with windows and doors shut and use an air purifier (which I do and can recommend). If you must go out, to wear a good quality anti-pollution mask and avoid exercise.

 

Maybe we locals should start warning existing and potential visitors about the reality of Cha Am's "refreshing sea breezes". One suspects that only when tourist numbers start to fall will somebody in authority get off their fat backside and actually do something.  

 

There's an excellent guide to air pollution generally, and the situation in Thailand in particular, here:

https://www.thethailandlife.com/air-pollution-thailand

 

Edited January 10, 2020 by Krataiboy

[geisha]

I think they will start worrying about air pollution soon. I’ve heard many foreigners complaining about the air the last few days. Many say they won’t come back or will move elsewhere. I left Phuket about 8 years ago,  because  of the locals bad attitudes , rogue taxis and numerous scams . I do like spending my winters here, so I think I’ll spend them back in Phuket. Unless I find somewhere else in the meantime.I don’t mind paying a bit more but I want a quality of life that’s decent .Surely the air we breath is one of the most important things in life. 

[searcher22]

3 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

making people buy bags instead = profit

I'm not sure about that. Not having a bag handy and having to pay for one deters a lot of people from making a large purchase or even entering the store in the first place. It's gotta be a money loser, but the government has no choice as it is concerned about its image abroad and the threat of boycotts for not doing their part to help the environment.

Edited January 10, 2020 by searcher22

[Liss Camber]

It's simply ridicules how many people are complaining about the missing plastic bags here. I wonder if all of you are aware that everyone is already eating microplastic on a daily basis equal to a whole credit card per month! Go on complaining and wait for the effect of microplastic in your body...then for sure you will understand....but too late.

[Suradit69]

why did the US president withdraw from the climate accord and roll back many efforts to improve or preserve the environment?

 

While Australia is burning to a cinder why does the PM refuse to consider any connection between climate and their massive coal industry?

 

Oddly, in both cases, politics and corporate profit seem to win the day.

[CGW]

On 1/9/2020 at 8:16 AM, darksidedog said:

generate howls of protest, both of which this government seems keen to avoid.

Therein lies the biggest problem as i see it, they fear the "masses" revolting! 

The "masses" are not happy with the present "government" it wouldn't take much to push them over the edge, something they recognise!

[sawadee1947]

On 1/9/2020 at 2:24 AM, neeray said:

This is an excellent thread idea. Thank you for starting it.

This will end up in Thai bashing again. 

Everybody of us know where we live and that it is useless to compare Thailand with Western countries.