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Phuket TV - PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Kathu Mayor OUT, Fair vendors arrested for gambling, Pot noodles pulled || January 27

Phuket TV - PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO: Kathu Mayor OUT, Fair vendors arrested for gambling, Pot noodles pulled || January 27

Green Thoughts: Bizarre trees bear strange fruit

Green Thoughts: Bizarre trees bear strange fruit

Green Thoughts: Consider the Casuarina

Green Thoughts: Consider the Casuarina

Sustainably Yours: Your part in climate change

Sustainably Yours: Your part in climate change

Green Thoughts: Scraping the barrel ‒ A cautionary tale for our times

Green Thoughts: Scraping the barrel ‒ A cautionary tale for our times

Working towards a ‘Plastic Free Phuket’

Working towards a ‘Plastic Free Phuket’

Southeast Asia’s hospitality leaders step into the ring to fight for sustainability at PHIST 5

Southeast Asia’s hospitality leaders step into the ring to fight for sustainability at PHIST 5
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Green Thoughts: Bizarre trees bear strange fruit
Green Thoughts: Bizarre trees bear strange fruit
Sunday 22 January 2023, 02:00PM
You don’t expect to find trees with bizarre labels such as the “pong-pong”, sausage or cannonball tree, but all these species, alive and well here in Phuket, are so named on account of their strange fruit.
Green Thoughts: Consider the Casuarina
Green Thoughts: Consider the Casuarina
Sunday 25 December 2022, 11:00AM
When it comes to tropical trees, the mangrove is top of the pops for environmentalists. Rightly so. It not only protects all our silt-laden and sandy coastlines from erosion, it is a nursery for a pullulating array of marine life.
Green Thoughts: Scraping the barrel ‒ A cautionary tale for our times
Green Thoughts: Scraping the barrel ‒ A cautionary tale for our times
Sunday 23 October 2022, 02:00PM
Ever since I started to write for the late-lamented ‘Phuket Gazette’, I have endeavoured, from time to time, to address what I consider to be the burning issue de nos jours ‒ namely the continuing and, as I see it, irreversible destruction of our planet’s natural resources.
Sustainably Yours: Your part in climate change
Sustainably Yours: Your part in climate change
Sunday 23 October 2022, 01:00PM
In our previous article in Sustainably Yours, we looked at things that the government can do to prepare Phuket for Climate Change. In this article, we’ll look at things that you can do in your daily life to help mitigate and adapt to it.
Working towards a ‘Plastic Free Phuket’
Working towards a ‘Plastic Free Phuket’
Sunday 16 October 2022, 11:30AM
A local environmental group led by students at UWC Thailand International School, Phuket is gaining momentum and working towards having single-use plastic bags phased out by law through a six-month project.
Southeast Asia’s hospitality leaders step into the ring to fight for sustainability at PHIST 5
Southeast Asia’s hospitality leaders step into the ring to fight for sustainability at PHIST 5
Thursday 29 September 2022, 10:24AM
PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism), Southeast Asia’s biggest and best responsible travel and hospitality forum, returned on Monday (Sept 26) to deliver a knockout blow to unsustainable tourism in Southeast Asia. Back as a live, in-person gathering, this fast-paced event tackled the key topics impacting the region and supported the green recovery of hotels and tourism operators following the global pandemic.
Preparing Phuket for climate change
Preparing Phuket for climate change
Sunday 25 September 2022, 01:00PM
As temperatures break records in the UK and fires break records, while scorching the European countrysides of Portugal, France and Spain, Phuket has had to contend with worsening annual floods. While climate change may be inevitable, there are things that Phuket can do to better prepare itself, to limit damage to infrastructure, reduce the potential for loss of life, and protect homes and businesses.
Green Thoughts: In the blooming water
Green Thoughts: In the blooming water
Sunday 4 September 2022, 02:00PM
As the high annual rainfall continues to soak Phuket during these months of the southwestern monsoon, we continue our look at water-borne plants that feature prominently across Thailand’s floral landscape. Among those are water lilies (nympheas).
Sustainably Yours: The importance of Phuket’s mangroves
Sustainably Yours: The importance of Phuket’s mangroves
Sunday 7 August 2022, 12:30PM
Mangrove forests are an overlooked attraction on Phuket. They are not places that you will find most tourists, who generally favour our sunny beaches and raucous nightlife, but with the recent announcement that the forests east of Phuket Town will be developed into an eco-tourist attraction, perhaps that will soon change.
Prize model for sustainability
Prize model for sustainability
Sunday 24 July 2022, 11:00AM
The One Phuket Sustainability Fair & Lean On Me Live Fest 2 held at Phuket Boat Lagoon last month was a collaborative sustainability and charity event that helped to raise awareness of people in need and the environment.
Yanui underwater cleanup nets 100kg of trash
Yanui underwater cleanup nets 100kg of trash
Sunday 26 June 2022, 11:58AM
Before the storm weather blew in late this past week, Thai and foreign volunteers held an underwater cleanup at Yanui Beach that netted more than 100kg of trash and marine debris.
Sustainability: Music to our ears
Sustainability: Music to our ears
Sunday 26 June 2022, 11:00AM
Last Saturday (June 18) saw One Phuket stage the island’s first Sustainability Fair and second Lean On Me Live Fest at Phuket Boat Lagoon’s White House.
Green Thoughts: Selecting containers for your plants
Green Thoughts: Selecting containers for your plants
Sunday 19 June 2022, 01:30PM
Your choice of pots is as crucial as your choice of plants. Any professional horticulturalist will tell you that flexible black grow-bags are the cheapest plant containers available. They are light, durable and easy on the pocket. Substantial ones can even be buried in the soil wherein small palms and large shrubs can be contained and yet still draw on the surrounding nutrients and moisture.
Sustainably Yours: The Phuket Swapshop
Sustainably Yours: The Phuket Swapshop
Sunday 12 June 2022, 11:00AM
You loved that new shirt when you tried it on in the store, but when you got it home, it was too long or too short, too bright or too drab, too snug or too loose. You wore it once or twice and then tossed it into the back of your closet of regrets. 
Sustainably Yours: Make money and be more sustainable
Sustainably Yours: Make money and be more sustainable
Sunday 15 May 2022, 02:00PM
In 2019 Phuket saw around 9 million passenger arrivals, in 2021 we saw just over 900,000, a 90% decline. Most experts predict that the industry won’t recover until 2024 or later.  The pandemic has changed the world, and as we come out of Test & Go and look toward the future, we should consider whether we want to return to business as usual or change how things are done.  B-Corporations  The term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was coined by Economist Howard Bowen in his book Social Responsibilities of the Businessmen’, published in 1953. He defined it as, “The obligations of businessmen to pursue those policies which are desirable in terms of the objectives and values of our society.” The main problem with CSR is that it lacks transparency and accountability.  In 2006 a new iteration of CSR was introduced called B-Corporations with the lofty goal of transforming the economic system by changing how business is done. Instead of focusing on the single-minded drive for profits, a B-Corporation has a triple bottom line that also considers their environmental impact and the community they serve. The main difference to CSR is that to become a B-Corporation there is a lengthy certification process and the businesses are regularly audited to ensure they are meeting standards. Some well-known businesses that are B-Corporations include The Body Shop, AllBirds, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Patagonia. They are just a few of the 4,850 B-Corporations located in 79 countries in over 150 different industries.  While most local businesses are not B-Corporations there are still things that they can do to lower their environmental impact, while saving money. 1. Offer vegan/vegetarian options on your menu ‒ A single burger uses the same amount of water as two months of showering. Studies show that 50% of Americans are trying to reduce their meat consumption and over one-third of Europeans are, too. Having plant-based menu options just makes good business sense. If you are not sure where to start, local chef Jamie Raftery, who was trained at Michelin-star restaurants, shares some of his plant-based recipes on his website Holistic Chef Academy.   2. Use soapnuts ‒ These are grown sustainably, inexpensive to buy, don’t use palm oils (which cause deforestation), are hypo-allergenic, don’t leave a perfumey smell and are actually berries, so they are okay for people with nut allergies. You can use them to do your laundry, for cleansers, hand soaps, shaving cream, dishwasher soap, body wash and shampoo. Not only will you cut down on your use of palm oil, but you will also reduce plastic waste while supporting the Indigenous Hill Tribes in Northern Thailand that grow them. 3. Compost and recycle ‒ Even during the pandemic Phuket’s waste collection has been operating beyond capacity. Overall the waste has gone down, but the lack of visitors has been made up for this with an increase in plastic trash from takeaway containers, plastic masks and hand sanitiser bottles. Studies show that between 40-60% of household waste is organic and almost 20% is recyclable. When you combine the two you can reduce your household waste by as much as 80%. Composting also reduces the need for pesticides and fertilisers and reduces water usage. 4. Use drip irrigation ‒ Although it may not seem like it in the middle of the rainy season, Thailand is becoming increasingly water-stressed because of increasing temperatures, drier dry seasons and the fact that it is one of the world’s largest rice producers. Drip irrigation is a strategy that reduces water use by about 70% by watering only the roots. Although commercial systems are available you can also DIY it.  5. Collect rainwater ‒ This can range from a simple barrel to a more complex system that integrates with your irrigation and plumbing. This water can be used to flush toilets or water the garden. Not only does this help to alleviate the burden on groundwater, but it can also reduce the amount of pollution from pesticides, fertilisers and car oil that is washed into the ocean by stormwater runoff.      6. Give out branded water bottles ‒ Almost 1 million plastic bottles are used per minute, which translates to about 62 bottles for every person on the planet per year. Plastic bottles are a scourge on our beaches. A simple way to ensure that your guests are not part of the problem is to give them a branded reusable water bottle. You can then make filtered water freely available. 7. Switch to LED lightbulbs ‒ These last more than twice as long as fluorescent lights, 25 times longer than regular incandescent ones and use 90% less energy than convention bulbs. LED light bulbs are also safer as they emit very little heat and are cool to the touch. 8. Plant flowers and plants that are pollinator-friendly ‒ One-third of our food supply is pollinated by bees, bats and birds. Most plants rely on animal pollinators for reproduction, but about 30% of plant-pollinator networks have been completely lost, which translates to the disappearance of food, bees, plants, trees and a loss of biodiversity. The main culprits driving declines are habitat loss and pesticide use. One way you can help is to plant pollinator-friendly native plant species.  9. Change your gas burners to electric ‒ Gas stoves are not well-vented and can exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma, COVID or even allergies. They also leak methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than CO2, even when turned off. These can be replaced with inexpensive induction burners and you will save on your monthly gas bill. 10. Check your tyre pressure every two weeks ‒ Your tires will naturally deflate by 2-3 PSI per month. For every 10% decrease in tyre pressure your fuel consumption increases by 2%. Multiply this across several vehicles driving every day and it can add up. Improperly inflated tires also affect your ability to brake and wear out your tyres and engine more quickly. Palmer Owyoung is an environmental activist working with the Kamala Green Club and the Global Sustainability Hub.  
Phuket marks National Tree Day
Phuket marks National Tree Day
Friday 13 May 2022, 05:13PM
PHUKET: Phuket officials today (May 13) marked National Tree Day with the distribution of more nearly 2,000 trees to be planted in the protected forest area on Khao Toh Sae in Rassada.
PWA plants trees to honour King Rama IX
PWA plants trees to honour King Rama IX
Wednesday 11 May 2022, 10:20AM
PHUKET: The Phuket office of the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) organised a tree-planting activity at its office in Kathu to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and inspire love of nature among staff and broader community.
Green Thoughts: Top pot plants for shade
Green Thoughts: Top pot plants for shade
Sunday 17 April 2022, 02:00PM
It’s a big generalisation, but on balance, the majority of potted plants available in the tropics enjoy a degree of shade. I am thinking of varieties of nephrolepis such as Boston, maidenhair, or bird’s nest ferns, variegated dieffenbachias, aglaonemas ‒ now available in striking reddish shades ‒ philodendrons, purple and green dracaenas, hymenocallis or spider lilies, spathiphyllum, the vast array of bromeliads. The list goes on. Go to any garden centre  in Phuket and these fellows will be cosseted in a shaded area, usually under green netting, along with phalaenopsis orchids and an abundant supply of mosquitoes. 
Phuket Rajabhat University launches ‘Andaman Biodiversity’ learning centre
Phuket Rajabhat University launches ‘Andaman Biodiversity’ learning centre
Monday 4 April 2022, 10:41AM
PHUKET: Phuket Rajabhat University (PRU) has opened its ‘Andaman Biodiversity Museum’ learning centre, which is open to the public.
Green Thoughts: Army of Ants ‒ Low Life among the Formicidae
Green Thoughts: Army of Ants ‒ Low Life among the Formicidae
Sunday 3 April 2022, 02:00PM
Last night I was woken by a burning sensation. It started on my right bicep, then I felt another irritation on my forearm. Finally, my wrist. Mystified, I went into the bathroom, where something dropped off me and fell to the tiled floor. The culprit was a large red ant. I squashed it unceremoniously and watched as a microscopic fellow ant, maybe one millimetre long and a hundredth its size, danced round the now lifeless corpse and – lo and behold – began carrying and dragging it to some unknown destination.
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