Summer in Phuket

Phuket, Thailand : Following the success of the Summer in Phuket campaign and an improved Island wide waste management program, the community outreach program called Keep Phuket Clean is readying to kick off again in 2010.

The first Island wide cleanup will be on April 22nd which is also EARTH DAY globally.

In 1970, the year of Apollo and the year the beatles launched their last album over 20m Americans got together in support of a cleaner America. By 1990 this became 200mn people globally in 141 countries and this April will be an even bigger global event. Phuket has embraced a Green Earth strategy late, but better late than never, and 2010 is set to become a turning point in Phukets future, a future that is bright, a future that is Green. www.earthday.net

The Clean campaign was initiated to help keep Phuket and the beaches sparkling clean over the Summer Season – April through November – and to help create an ongoing working model so beach communities can accomplish this task year round helping to annualise Phukets tourism.

The program officially launches with the Clean Phuket Day, Thursday April 22nd 2010 in over 20 locations throughout the island. Alternatively, if the weather doesn’t cooperate the event will take place on April 23rd . Those interested in participating can get further information for their particular area at www.summerinphuket.com or email nick@indigore.com

“In 2009 the program included a general review of the beach infrastructure and an ongoing action plan for community beach cleanups combined with an educational strategy. The imminent initiation of a 2 baht per bag plastic bag charge and the introduction of Island wide recycling programs in 2010 will have a major impact on Phuket, helping her beaches and supporting cleaner roadsides and public areas.” Says Nick Anthony, one of the organisers.

A new hotel sustainability guideline has been drawn up for Phuket hotels with the support of the Thai hotels association and several major hotels that supports eco initiatives and teaches sustainability programs to all hotel staff. This will ensure further waste reduction, support greater energy efficiency, help reduce plastic bottles and plastic bag usage, introduce commercial scale composting and support an education program teaching hotel staff and extended families how to be a more aware and responsible Phuket resident.

The cleanups will continue on a monthly basis around the Island with solid support at the local government level and from the Governor directly, who participated in a number of events in 2009.

With the first westerly winds and storms bringing much needed rain to Phuket this last fortnight it also brings ocean litter back to our beaches and in the water and washes roadside litter that is uncollected into storm drains and back into the sea. We have been on the water boating most days and have seen an increase in floating plastic again.

In Phuket we fortunately do not get waste from India or Malaysia, but only get back what litter gets washed or blown into the Andaman Sea. Over the long term a program of removing this plastic waste from the ocean will have a dramatically positive effect. In 2010 we aim to put an initial 150 recycling stations around the beaches and also take an educational campaign to the fishing fleets that ring Phuket every night, and are responsible for much of our daily beach waste.

See the attached dates and areas and please support a Clean and Green Phuket.

Keep Phuket Clean Location Schedule

2010 Kickoff is on Thursday and Friday 22nd and 23rd April at all participating beaches.

All monthly cleanups are on the third Thursday of the month, and in some cases the Friday instead.

Please MARK THE DATES, join in & spread the word. Initial confirmed locations as follows, more to be added and we welcome new locations that choose to be involved.

1. Thursday 22nd April

2. Thursday 27th April - NEW LOCATION Koh Na Ka island, Phang Nga Bay . The Six Senses destination spa will arrange a cleanup of Ko Na Ka Yai Beach with hotel volunteers.
3. Thursday 20th May (World River Clean Up May 14th)
4. Thursday 17th June
5. Thursday 15th July
6. Thursday 19th August
7. Thursday 16th September (World Clean Up Day is September 19th)
8. Thursday 21st October
9. Thursday 18th November

If the weather doesn’t cooperate the event will take place the following day.

Those interested in participating can get further information for their particular area at www.summerinphuket.com or email nick@indigore.com

Wear light clothes, bring hat and ask your hotel beforehand to prepare bio-d garbage bags, gloves and where possible bring a rake.

Thursday Mornings 9am start

Bangtao Beach South : Amancruise beach and fish market area

Patong Beach : 30 hotels involved and are co-ordinated by the Mayors office. Meet in front of Holiday Inn

The Aquarium : Sri Panwa co-ordinating the area clean up

Cape Panwa : Cape Panwa co-ordinating beach clean

Royal Phuket Marina : Starting at Les Anges

Boat Lagoon : Starting at Watermark

Cape Yamu : Beach cleanup by The yamu.

Ao Po : Pier area, organised by Jumeirah Private Island.

Yacht Haven : Starting at marina office

Thursday Afternoons 4pm start

Mai Khao Beach Zone 1 : JW Marriott co-ordinating, meet at the park area between JW Marriott and Sala Phuket

Mai Khao Beach Zone 2 : West Sands co-ordinating, meet on west sands North Boundary

Naithon Beach : Trisara co-ordinating, general beach and community clean from the Middle

Bangtao Beach North : Meet at the Layan National Park supported by private sector

Bangtao Beach Laguna Area : Laguna already cleans the area daily

Surin Beach : Meet at main beach car park, organised by Courtyard Marriott.

Laem Sing Beach : Meet at Alis and Jennys bar

Kamala Beach North : Courtyard Marriott co-ordinating North end

Kamala Beach Mid : Rockfish organising a large gathering at Smile Bar to focus on the local community/police station area

Kamala Beach South : Andara & Cape Sienna co-ordinating the school/temple and klong area

Kalim Beach : Indochine and LIMS co-ordinating a full beach clean starting at White Box

Karon Beach : General beach and community clean with full support of Hotels. Meet outside Movenpick and Hilton.

Kata Beach : Co-ordinated by The Boathouse Hotel.

Nai Harn Beach : Needs a co-ordinator, volunteers welcome.

Rawai Beach : Evason co-ordinating the beach clean with local community

Chalong Beach : Chalong Pier co-ordinated cleanup by Kan Eang restaurant plus dive shops.

Phuket Town : Starting at Soi Romanee organised by Art & Culture magazine.

Friday Mornings 10am start

Nai Yang Beach : Indigo Pearl co-ordinating, general beach and community clean from the middle

Note : Wednesday 28th April is the GreenLOVE Festival at British International School : an all day eco-event with green product displays, events, games and education on supporting a better Phuket. Do try to join this event. 8am to 3pm

Nick Anthony

Managing Partner

Indigo Real Estate

+66 89873 2042

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