Stories tagged with conservation
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Big cleanup planned for Pattaya’s sea
The Coca-Cola International Cleanup Project, whose goal is promote healthy marine ecosystems, will come to Pattaya and Jomtien on 20 September 2008 in a bid to raise public awareness and interest in protecting its most valuable resource. More than 1,000 residents are expected to participate in this honorable event, which will hopefully be the beginning of other local environmental initiatives.
The global project, which was created by the Texas-based Ocean Conservancy in 1986, promotes a comprehensive approach to solving the pervasive dilemma of global water pollution. The Ocean Conservancy’s main goals are the promotion of healthy and diverse marine ecosystems, and opposing practices that threaten life in the world’s oceans. The project also aims to remove all garbage from beaches and oceans worldwide.
Thai Namthip has been leading the coordination efforts within Thailand for the Coca-Cola project since 2005. It brings schools, companies, communities and tourists together in an effort to clean up the kingdom’s beaches. Events have already been organised this year in Hua Hin and Rayong province by Thai Namthip, who have received the support of Pattaya’s City Hall to allow the project to take place in Pattaya and Jomtien in September.
Posted by: Andrew on 27 Aug 2008, 09:01 -
Phuket’s Monkey Island in the works
A new tourist attraction planned on two small islands off Phuket’s southeast coast hopes to offer a sanctuary for local monkeys, but it still has a lot of government red tape hurdles to clear before becoming a reality. The two South Africans behind the primate conservation project hope to have it opened by the end of 2008, and appealed to Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit for his support.
This community-based wildlife project on Koh Aew and Koh Tanan already has the support of Chalong locals, who see revenue potential for longtail boat operators and vendors. The project founders have plenty of experience with existing primate conservation centres in South Africa and insist their sanctuary would have little impact on the pristine islands.
The project’s aim is to conserve local monkeys, increase environmental awareness, and provide more tourism support for Phuket. Chalong Bay’s tiny Koh Tanan would be developed for tourists to view the wildlife, serving as the business end of the sanctuary. Koh Aew would be reserved for primate researchers only, with the goal of turning Phuket into one of the world’s foremost primate research facilities.
Posted by: Andrew on 27 Aug 2008, 08:06 -
Elephant to receive personal donation from Queen
Thailand’s monarchy is extremely popular and is supported by virtually every on of its citizenry. His majesty the King just celebrated his 80th birthday and his 60th year as King. The Queen as well is revered and has donated much of her time to humanitarian projects and has organized events around the world promoting the talents of the Thai people.
Her majesty the Queen’s latest graceful gesture is to donate 300,000 baht to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang province in northern Thailand. The money will go to support a month-old baby elephant whose mother is incapable of producing milk to feed it.
The 300,000 baht comes form the Queen’s personal fund, and will help to buy milk powder for the baby along with 400,000 baht already donated by the public.
The TECC is responsible for the responsible care of many elephants in northern Thailand, and is a cause worthy of support. The centre accepts visitors who wish to donate their time to the care of neglected elephants as well.
Posted by: DaveB on 09 Aug 2007, 11:31 -
Coral Briefs 1
What do you get when you put Royal Phuket Marina owner Gulu Lalvani and Bill Gates together? Answer: a plan for a private island. Fortunately, the plan is not to take over an island that already exists; unfortunately the plan is to build one that doesn't.
With an archipelago in its backyard, Phuket would seem the last place to need an artificial island, yet Lalvani plans to build what amounts to a $200m, three-kilometer-long facility with luxury homes and berthing facilities for megatoy owners like Abramovich, Gates and Allen. Apparently existing facilities at Lalvani's marina (the 'Royal' part of the name seems entirely Lalvani's brand creation) are too shallow for the kind of tubs Paul Allen (who owns the world's largest private yacht) and friends motor around in.
The island is to be located 1.9 kilometers off the east coast of Phuket—its effect on local fishing grounds, tidal flows and so on is unknown. Presumably the authorities have given the green light, anticipating the windfalls of cash such a project is likely to bring.
No one would want to criticize Gates for leading the way in giving away a fortune. But what could 200 million bucks do towards trying to solve Thailand's huge garbage problem, for example? Garbage management for most rural areas in Thailand is non-existent, especially for the islands off Thailand's coast. No doubt Lalvani will employ locals with boats 24/7 to scoop up offensive trash from the surrounding waters of the planned island retreat.
Reuters reports that Phuket millionaire has plans to build a man-made island off Phuket for the world's richest people to moor their luxury yachts.
Posted by: ConcernedExplorer on 19 May 2007, 17:31