Phuket International Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan presided over the opening ceremony this morning at Naiyang Beach. The two-day event is scheduled for today and tomorrow.
PIA Deputy Director Thani Chuongchoo, Khao Prataew Nature and Wildlife Education Centre Chief Chartpong Cheurhom, divers from Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong and Phuket gathered at the beach for the opening of the event.
Mr Thani said “PIA is adjacent to one of the island's tourist spots, Naiyang Beach on Sirinath National Park. The large numbers of tourists visiting the area each year result in a deterioration of our natural resources. The PIA places a high value on the island's natural resources, especially our marine environment, which makes the removal of rubbish from the sea necessary in the area.”
He continued “Today's activity is aimed at bringing people together to keep our environment alive and litter-free, by promoting a love for environmental preservation in the future.”
Ms Monrudee added, “Currently, the condition of marine ecosystem in Thailand is critical. The sea is polluted by people dumping rubbish into the sea or littering the beach, which also ends up in the sea. In previous cleanup activities, divers collected fishnets, fishing tools and other rubbish that accumulated on top of coral reefs. They also discovered that numbers of coral reefs was damage by tourists who walked on them.”
She said “Damaged reef results in a decreased numbers of marine lifeforms in this area. This year marine experts expect to see more coral bleaching, they say about 80% of all coral reef we have left will be affected, which is quite alarming, sspecially in the area of Sirinath National Park which attract a lot of exotic fishes and sea turtles. A few days ago, our employees from PIA diver club also spotted one of the biggest whale shark in this area.”
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"To help us preserve and revive our marine ecosystems it is important to nurture and protect the newly-formed coral that are flourishing in this area. We hope this activity will promote an appreciation for the sea and that everyone will help take care of the environment and preserve it for future generations. This will also help promote tourism for Naiyang Beach”, said Monrudee.