The Thailand Minister of Natural Resources and Environment has inaugurated a project for integrated marine waste management, in a new demonstration area in Rayong, attended by UN Environment Programme.

20 December 2019, Khodpor public park area, Rayong Municipality, Muang District, Rayong Province: Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Royal Government of Thailand has launched a comprehensive marine waste management demonstration area, with participation from national and international partners.

Rayong province is piloting a plastic circular economy model, through reducing the use of new plastic materials production and increasing recycling rates.

Also in attendance were Mr Chatuporn Chaimaphat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Yuthapol Ong-itthichai, Deputy Governor, Mr. Piya Pitucha, Rayong Provincial Administrative Organization and Mr. Worawit Suphachokchai, Mayor of Nakhon Municipality.

Ms. Dechen Tsering, Director, Asia and the Pacific Office, UN Environment Programme also spoke at the opening event, which was attended by more than 1,500 people.

This integrated marine waste management demonstration area has been set up in response to the challenge of marine plastic pollution in Rayong province. Thailand is one of the biggest plastic waste polluters. The country is the world’s sixth largest contributor to ocean plastic waste. The Rayong demonstration area will aim to showcase best practice in the integrated management of waste, to avoid plastic pollution of the marine environment.

Mr Warawut Silpa-archa said, “This integrated marine waste management project is an important initiative, to demonstrate systematic and holistic solutions to the challenges of marine litter. We need long term and comprehensive solutions – and this is a high priority for the Government of Thailand.”

Mr Chatuporn Chaimaphat said, “The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has collaborated with all sectors in promoting integrated management of plastic waste. The Rayong Municipality is highly supportive and the communities stand ready – making this location highly suitable as a prototype area for integrated marine waste management.”

Ms. Dechen Tsering said, “Thailand’s marine and coastal ecosystems boast rare biodiversity and beauty. Yet marine pollution of all kinds, including plastic pollution from land and sea, is threatening already fragile ecosystems. Plastic pollution can only be addressed meaningfully through concerted multi-stakeholder action along the plastic value chain – by transforming the way we produce, consume, and dispose of plastic.”