Dirty beach and water for 200B

[pstbkk]

Until today, I thought that besides the part of money for national park entrance that goes to someone's in government pocket there is some for cleaning and maintenance.

Today I have been on a excursion around Koh Chang. Besides one clean beach, we did a stop also on a completely dirty beach (rubbishes from the sea) where I step on something like engine lubricant and just finished cleaning my feet. The park guards were there just watching and doing nothing.

Later on, when one of the boats departed I have seen leaking engine oil from straight to the water. On the way back, Chinese kids threw rubbishes out of the board on the sight of parents and crew members. No reaction, just mine.

I have a question to forum members, how do you think, what can be done to protect environment here. Is there any influential international organization that I could report at least that leaking engine oil form boats? What can be done to teach them how to protect environment?

And am I the only one who see things like that? It seems like majority of people they just don't care

[fey]

last time i stopped on ko tarutao national park the personnel would advise everyone to stay near one part of the island in no uncertain terms. tried that several days on a filthy beach, loud construction noise and general thai type noise and discomfort (for lack of a better word).

finally just got fed up with the bs and packed out to other areas of the island on foot with all the water i could carry. found some really nice areas and clean beaches, paradise type stuff.

upon reflection, why did they try to prohibit people from exploring the island and enjoying their holiday?

simply because they don't care if you have a dirty beach or even enjoy your stay there. they don't care about living near trash and loud noise. that's their paradise.
just the possibility of a potential problem was enough to discourage tourists from experiencing what their idea of paradise was. but that was not important.

[pstbkk]

That's sad. As you mentioned it is their paradise but.. Our earth. So they poison us.

[MaiChai]

last time i stopped on ko tarutao national park the personnel would advise everyone to stay near one part of the island in no uncertain terms. tried that several days on a filthy beach, loud construction noise and general thai type noise and discomfort (for lack of a better word).

finally just got fed up with the bs and packed out to other areas of the island on foot with all the water i could carry. found some really nice areas and clean beaches, paradise type stuff.

upon reflection, why did they try to prohibit people from exploring the island and enjoying their holiday?

simply because they don't care if you have a dirty beach or even enjoy your stay there. they don't care about living near trash and loud noise. that's their paradise.

just the possibility of a potential problem was enough to discourage tourists from experiencing what their idea of paradise was. but that was not important.

Because there used to be camps used for trafficking Rohinger and the park officials could not guarantee your safety if you accidentally came upon one?

[pstbkk]

last time i stopped on ko tarutao national park the personnel would advise everyone to stay near one part of the island in no uncertain terms. tried that several days on a filthy beach, loud construction noise and general thai type noise and discomfort (for lack of a better word).

finally just got fed up with the bs and packed out to other areas of the island on foot with all the water i could carry. found some really nice areas and clean beaches, paradise type stuff.

upon reflection, why did they try to prohibit people from exploring the island and enjoying their holiday?

simply because they don't care if you have a dirty beach or even enjoy your stay there. they don't care about living near trash and loud noise. that's their paradise.

just the possibility of a potential problem was enough to discourage tourists from experiencing what their idea of paradise was. but that was not important.

Because there used to be camps used for trafficking Rohinger and the park officials could not guarantee your safety if you accidentally came upon one?

Safety? You mean in case if he wants to suicide there 55555

[CharlieH]

Posted/Pinned at the top of the forum.

NCPO Thai government. 24 hour Call Center 1111 http://www.1111.go.th/

They deal with any and all complaints related to anything and everything.

Noise, schools, retailers, builders, police or anything else.

[pstbkk]

Did anyone try? It is a good question if they really can do anything, or it is a hotline for people to talk and they say ok, ok, ehe, thank you

[CharlieH]

Did anyone try? It is a good question if they really can do anything, or it is a hotline for people to talk and they say ok, ok, ehe, thank you

So why dont you try and find out yourself first-hand.

[Thian]

I never tried it because i expect them to not speak english or even not pick up the phone at all....Even if they answered me i 'm pretty sure nothing will change....i can be wrong though.

[pstbkk]

I did! My gf talked to them in Thai. Unfortunately I have no way to know if there was any reactions. I could just complain.

[Thian]

I did! My gf talked to them in Thai. Unfortunately I have no way to know if there was any reactions. I could just complain.

You think they will stop dumping oil in the sea or go cleaning the beaches?

[pstbkk]

I did! My gf talked to them in Thai. Unfortunately I have no way to know if there was any reactions. I could just complain.

You think they will stop dumping oil in the sea or go cleaning the beaches?

Maybe there is a way to force them to do that. That is why I created this topic -.-

[mogandave]

Stopping tourist activity would be a big help.

If you truly care about the environment, a good rule of thumb is: If you don't live or work there, don't go there.

[pstbkk]

Stopping tourist activity would be a big help.

If you truly care about the environment, a good rule of thumb is: If you don't live or work there, don't go there.

True, but impossible. Even if I create a campaign, and even police close murdered on Koh Tao Hannah and David says that was a suicide, people will be still coming here.

In Philippines somehow there is plenty of tourists, but all places I have been to were clean. Maybe because of inevitability of getting fined from police for littering.

I know that many Thais lives in a house full of rubbishes around and they don't care about that. But when Thai boat has an oil leak from the engine, it goes straight to the international water. If Thais don't care, for sure someone smarter abroad cares.

[autanic]

I have to admit, I have taken the old star ferry from Trat to Ko Chang many times and seen the oil sleeks for myself.

The amount of oil is nominal really and will soon be dissipated. However saying that the boat/ferry operators should take more responsibility for their own environment.

[Moonsterk]

Did anyone try? It is a good question if they really can do anything, or it is a hotline for people to talk and they say ok, ok, ehe, thank you

Completely useless and impossible to even get them to acknowledge a complaint by email. Typically seem helpful, polite but just a facade.

[Henryford]

Last year i went to Koh Phi Phi to see it's "pristine" beach. Large sections were covered with cigarette butts, empty cigarette packages and other rubbish thrown away by the thousands of tourists. No one seems to care now, throwing litter seems to be accepted as normal behaviour.

[mogandave]

Stopping tourist activity would be a big help.

If you truly care about the environment, a good rule of thumb is: If you don't live or work there, don't go there.

True, but impossible. Even if I create a campaign, and even police close murdered on Koh Tao Hannah and David says that was a suicide, people will be still coming here.

In Philippines somehow there is plenty of tourists, but all places I have been to were clean. Maybe because of inevitability of getting fined from police for littering.

I know that many Thais lives in a house full of rubbishes around and they don't care about that. But when Thai boat has an oil leak from the engine, it goes straight to the international water. If Thais don't care, for sure someone smarter abroad cares.

So how much trash did you pick up while you were there?

[pstbkk]

Stopping tourist activity would be a big help.

If you truly care about the environment, a good rule of thumb is: If you don't live or work there, don't go there.

True, but impossible. Even if I create a campaign, and even police close murdered on Koh Tao Hannah and David says that was a suicide, people will be still coming here.

In Philippines somehow there is plenty of tourists, but all places I have been to were clean. Maybe because of inevitability of getting fined from police for littering.

I know that many Thais lives in a house full of rubbishes around and they don't care about that. But when Thai boat has an oil leak from the engine, it goes straight to the international water. If Thais don't care, for sure someone smarter abroad cares.

So how much trash did you pick up while you were there?

I don't know how much but EVERY plastic bag or trash that could fit into my pocket while I was snorkeling. And I do it since I remember.

From the beach on that day nothing, because it needs to be cleaned by someone with a small truck to take all trash away from there. I can not carry old tires and dirty sponges to the boat.

On the cruise when Chinese kids were throwing rubbish out of the boat I did explain them with body language that if they throw anything else they will be the next. They stopped.

But that is all I can do unfortunately.

[Moonsterk]

Stopping tourist activity would be a big help.

If you truly care about the environment, a good rule of thumb is: If you don't live or work there, don't go there.

True, but impossible. Even if I create a campaign, and even police close murdered on Koh Tao Hannah and David says that was a suicide, people will be still coming here.

In Philippines somehow there is plenty of tourists, but all places I have been to were clean. Maybe because of inevitability of getting fined from police for littering.

I know that many Thais lives in a house full of rubbishes around and they don't care about that. But when Thai boat has an oil leak from the engine, it goes straight to the international water. If Thais don't care, for sure someone smarter abroad cares.

So how much trash did you pick up while you were there?

I used to pick up trash, but not anymore and I think the organizers of the mass foreigner trash collection should not do it anymore because they are enabling a very bad habit.

If tourists see garbage everywhere, they will stop visiting and perhaps force the Thai govt to address the problem- meaning instead of putting coloured flags everywhere, spending the money on a real education campaign and putting some enforcement into the laws about polluting.

Adding do not bother going to the 1111 web site, you'll have to register to even fill out the form, most of which is in Thai then of course the enter form button does not work.

Here's the reality; Thailand is developing nation that is actually not developing but akin to a car stuck on hill with no gear but reverse.

You want a SEA beach vacation destination that really does enforce its laws about pollution- go to Malaysia. Of course the females are not as big a draw- many being completely off limits and not having the huge prostitution industry of Thailand (lady boys included of course) so decide what's important to you and then live with it because foreigners will never preempt the self censored due to forum rule # 437 that is prevalent in the culture.

[Moonsterk]

Stopping tourist activity would be a big help.

If you truly care about the environment, a good rule of thumb is: If you don't live or work there, don't go there.

True, but impossible. Even if I create a campaign, and even police close murdered on Koh Tao Hannah and David says that was a suicide, people will be still coming here.

In Philippines somehow there is plenty of tourists, but all places I have been to were clean. Maybe because of inevitability of getting fined from police for littering.

I know that many Thais lives in a house full of rubbishes around and they don't care about that. But when Thai boat has an oil leak from the engine, it goes straight to the international water. If Thais don't care, for sure someone smarter abroad cares.

So how much trash did you pick up while you were there?

I don't know how much but EVERY plastic bag or trash that could fit into my pocket while I was snorkeling. And I do it since I remember.

From the beach on that day nothing, because it needs to be cleaned by someone with a small truck to take all trash away from there. I can not carry old tires and dirty sponges to the boat.

On the cruise when Chinese kids were throwing rubbish out of the boat I did explain them with body language that if they throw anything else they will be the next. They stopped.

But that is all I can do unfortunately.

Not at all, You could organize a trash-in at the Marine police headquarters - everyone throw trash front of it. (hey, I like that..)

You could make others aware, start a FB page. You could take pics and send them to travel agents. Call for a boycott or you yourself could simply stop supporting the country in any way.

[pstbkk]

Stopping tourist activity would be a big help.

If you truly care about the environment, a good rule of thumb is: If you don't live or work there, don't go there.

True, but impossible. Even if I create a campaign, and even police close murdered on Koh Tao Hannah and David says that was a suicide, people will be still coming here.

In Philippines somehow there is plenty of tourists, but all places I have been to were clean. Maybe because of inevitability of getting fined from police for littering.

I know that many Thais lives in a house full of rubbishes around and they don't care about that. But when Thai boat has an oil leak from the engine, it goes straight to the international water. If Thais don't care, for sure someone smarter abroad cares.

So how much trash did you pick up while you were there?

I used to pick up trash, but not anymore and I think the organizers of the mass foreigner trash collection should not do it anymore because they are enabling a very bad habit.

If tourists see garbage everywhere, they will stop visiting and perhaps force the Thai govt to address the problem- meaning instead of putting coloured flags everywhere, spending the money on a real education campaign and putting some enforcement into the laws about polluting.

Adding do not bother going to the 1111 web site, you'll have to register to even fill out the form, most of which is in Thai then of course the enter form button does not work.

Here's the reality; Thailand is developing nation that is actually not developing but akin to a car stuck on hill with no gear but reverse.

You want a SEA beach vacation destination that really does enforce its laws about pollution- go to Malaysia. Of course the females are not as big a draw- many being completely off limits and not having the huge prostitution industry of Thailand (lady boys included of course) so decide what's important to you and then live with it because foreigners will never preempt the self censored due to forum rule # 437 that is prevalent in the culture.

I understand your point of view. But I doubt if it's gonna work. If they see the problem.

On the other hand I don't meant that only Thailand is full of rubbishes. This is global problem. The sea moves rubbishes from one country to another. The same Chinese kids who litter in Thailand, tomorrow will do the same in Malaysia.

And.. Of course I still do prefer to leave in clean house in Thailand with hot Thai girlfriend, even if it is dirty beach around than live on clean beach in Malaysia with Muslim wife.

[pstbkk]

Stopping tourist activity would be a big help.

If you truly care about the environment, a good rule of thumb is: If you don't live or work there, don't go there.

True, but impossible. Even if I create a campaign, and even police close murdered on Koh Tao Hannah and David says that was a suicide, people will be still coming here.

In Philippines somehow there is plenty of tourists, but all places I have been to were clean. Maybe because of inevitability of getting fined from police for littering.

I know that many Thais lives in a house full of rubbishes around and they don't care about that. But when Thai boat has an oil leak from the engine, it goes straight to the international water. If Thais don't care, for sure someone smarter abroad cares.

So how much trash did you pick up while you were there?

I don't know how much but EVERY plastic bag or trash that could fit into my pocket while I was snorkeling. And I do it since I remember.

From the beach on that day nothing, because it needs to be cleaned by someone with a small truck to take all trash away from there. I can not carry old tires and dirty sponges to the boat.

On the cruise when Chinese kids were throwing rubbish out of the boat I did explain them with body language that if they throw anything else they will be the next. They stopped.

But that is all I can do unfortunately.

Not at all, You could organize a trash-in at the Marine police headquarters - everyone throw trash front of it. (hey, I like that..)

You could make others aware, start a FB page. You could take pics and send them to travel agents. Call for a boycott or you yourself could simply stop supporting the country in any way.

There is already some websites and fb pages about that. The same with organizations and foundations etc. As we see this can not solve problem. I'm trying to find another solution.

Maybe to throw kids with their rubbishes from board? It could be in the news all over the world? I have learned that nothing can teach people better to behave properly than punishment or when they see other people getting punished.

[pstbkk]

And... Trash bins won't solve the problem. They don't know how to use them. Fresh photo from Koh Chang

[mogandave]

Stopping tourist activity would be a big help.

If you truly care about the environment, a good rule of thumb is: If you don't live or work there, don't go there.

True, but impossible. Even if I create a campaign, and even police close murdered on Koh Tao Hannah and David says that was a suicide, people will be still coming here.

In Philippines somehow there is plenty of tourists, but all places I have been to were clean. Maybe because of inevitability of getting fined from police for littering.

I know that many Thais lives in a house full of rubbishes around and they don't care about that. But when Thai boat has an oil leak from the engine, it goes straight to the international water. If Thais don't care, for sure someone smarter abroad cares.

So how much trash did you pick up while you were there?

I don't know how much but EVERY plastic bag or trash that could fit into my pocket while I was snorkeling. And I do it since I remember.

From the beach on that day nothing, because it needs to be cleaned by someone with a small truck to take all trash away from there. I can not carry old tires and dirty sponges to the boat.

On the cruise when Chinese kids were throwing rubbish out of the boat I did explain them with body language that if they throw anything else they will be the next. They stopped.

But that is all I can do unfortunately.

Not at all, You could organize a trash-in at the Marine police headquarters - everyone throw trash front of it. (hey, I like that..)

You could make others aware, start a FB page. You could take pics and send them to travel agents. Call for a boycott or you yourself could simply stop supporting the country in any way.

I'm trying to find another solution.

One that does not involve any effort (beyond complaining) on your part, yes?

[mogandave]

And... Trash bins won't solve the problem. They don't know how to use them. Fresh photo from Koh Chang

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect PRO1454818913.555885.jpg

Where's the after picture?

[pstbkk]

And... Trash bins won't solve the problem. They don't know how to use them. Fresh photo from Koh Chang

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect PRO1454818913.555885.jpg

Where's the after picture?

What do you mean saying 'after picture'?

[mogandave]

And... Trash bins won't solve the problem. They don't know how to use them. Fresh photo from Koh Chang

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect PRO1454818913.555885.jpg

Where's the after picture?

What do you mean saying 'after picture'?

Didn't you pick up all the trash and put it in the can?

[pstbkk]

And... Trash bins won't solve the problem. They don't know how to use them. Fresh photo from Koh Chang

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect PRO1454818913.555885.jpg

Where's the after picture?

What do you mean saying 'after picture'?

Didn't you pick up all the trash and put it in the can?

In your first question a few posts before, I have noticed that you were expecting an answer "well, I did not pick up any trash while I was snorkeling". Now, when I posted photo about a bin, that they don't know how to use you are asking if I pick up all the trash.

I see that you don't understand the topic. Let me explain, especially for you. In simple words.

The whole thing is not about to walk around picking up all trash from the ground, while locals and tourists throw new ones again and again. It is about to educate them, that if they wants their kids to see the same nature as they can see, they should keep environment clean.

But, when I do snorkeling or diving and see a plastic bag or bottle on the reef I simply pick it up and store in my pocket until I can go back to the boat and place it in the bin. For two reasons: first, it is not a big deal, and second I can see the reef without rubbishes for a while.

When I'm passing next to a bin on the island and see rubbishes around I'm not gonna stop and pick them up but I just think how stupid people are. If I live near that bin and I know that no one is about to clean that ditch, I would do it by myself to have clean area near my house. But I can not make whole island clean if I'm visiting it for a few days.

Do you understand now, or you want me to explain in more simple words?

[mogandave]

And... Trash bins won't solve the problem. They don't know how to use them. Fresh photo from Koh Chang

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect PRO1454818913.555885.jpg

Where's the after picture?

What do you mean saying 'after picture'?

Didn't you pick up all the trash and put it in the can?

In your first question a few posts before, I have noticed that you were expecting an answer "well, I did not pick up any trash while I was snorkeling". Now, when I posted photo about a bin, that they don't know how to use you are asking if I pick up all the trash.

I see that you don't understand the topic. Let me explain, especially for you. In simple words.

The whole thing is not about to walk around picking up all trash from the ground, while locals and tourists throw new ones again and again. It is about to educate them, that if they wants their kids to see the same nature as they can see, they should keep environment clean.

But, when I do snorkeling or diving and see a plastic bag or bottle on the reef I simply pick it up and store in my pocket until I can go back to the boat and place it in the bin. For two reasons: first, it is not a big deal, and second I can see the reef without rubbishes for a while.

When I'm passing next to a bin on the island and see rubbishes around I'm not gonna stop and pick them up but I just think how stupid people are. If I live near that bin and I know that no one is about to clean that ditch, I would do it by myself to have clean area near my house. But I can not make whole island clean if I'm visiting it for a few days.

Do you understand now, or you want me to explain in more simple words?

A no would have been simpler.

That said, I believe you educate people by setting the example.

I hate trash. Where I work there used to be trash everywhere, now it's one of the cleanest plants around.