Phuket officials sign cooperation agreement with private sector to develop sustainable tourism

PHUKET, 4 July 2015 (NNT) – Phuket Province has signed a cooperation agreement with tourism and restaurant operators in its Racha Yai Island to enhance environmental management for sustainable tourism.

Signing the agreement were Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong and his deputy, along with heads of local units such as the Office of Natural Resources and Environment, the Phuket Marine Office, and the Rawai Municipality. On the private sector’s side were representatives from various hotels, resorts, restaurants who joined the signing ceremony.

Phuket governor said that the agreement had two main objectives, sustainable waste disposal management and sewage treatment on the island under the integrated efforts of both government and private sectors.

Welcoming the move, the head of Racha Yai Island Conservation and Self Protection Group said the group was appreciated by the government’s seriousness given to environmental protection as it was a good beginning of sustainable tourism.

The agreement designates tourist yachts not to dispose solid waste into the sea whereas tourism operators must utterly avoid getting rid of waste from their places into canals and also the sea.

Waste reduction and separation on Racha Yai Island is needed in line with the agreement. For organic waste, participants in the agreement can transform it into compost or any appropriate form of waste and locate them in appropriate places before Rawai Municipality takes them to waste treatment plant. However, waste collection by the municipality will be charged from those involved at prices designated by law.

-- NNT 2015-07-05

20 years to late but better then nothing.

"the agreement had two main objectives, sustainable waste disposal management and sewage treatment"

So, saying you need a special agreement to establish basic civil living conditions means you don't presently even meet basic standards? And you want to advertise this like it's a GOOD THING?!?

They want true sustainability of waste management, does the involvement of the Rawai Municipality mean it will be offloaded to Phuket why does it need to go to Phuket where waste management barely exists.

Too Little too late - Thai tourism is skrewded but enjoy the chinese ...