Tourism Authority of Thailand supports beach clean-up at Sydney’s Chowder Bay

Tourism Authority of Thailand supports beach clean-up at Sydney’s Chowder Bay

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with the Royal Thai Consulate in Sydney, took part in a beach and underwater clean-up last week at Chowder Bay.

The event was held at Clifton Gardens Reserve, on the foreshore of Chowder Bay, with Thai massages and a delicious Thai lunch provided by multi-award-winning restaurant Spice I Am for volunteers.

This was followed by a Thai cooking demonstration by chef Sujet Saenkham, founder and owner of Spice I Am, as well as a Thai performance by Siam Classic Dance Group at Taronga Zoo.

Forty volunteers took part in the clean-up, including seven scuba divers, who spent a combined 456 minutes underwater collecting over two kilograms of debris.

Much of this was fishing debris, with an estimated 200 metres of discarded fishing line, 63 metal hooks and sinkers, and 25 plastic fishing lures collected.

Above water, volunteers collected 191 cigarette butts, 54 straws and other plastic cutlery items, roughly 250 plastic fragments, 120 plastic bag remnants, 155 polystyrene fragments and 27 balloon fragments.

Data from the underwater clean-up was uploaded to the Project Aware global debris database, while topside clean-up data was uploaded to Tangaroa Blue’s Marine Debris Initiative, helping campaigners and scientists find solutions for marine pollution.

TAT director Suladda Sarutilavan said: “In efforts to show our appreciation for those local heroes volunteering their time to protect our oceans, we are proud to support the effort of local conservation group Friends of Chowder Bay.

“The travel restrictions imposed on us all by the COVID-19 pandemic has inspired, in many of us, a heightened awareness and appreciation for our precious natural environment.

“Many tourism operators in Thailand have spent time in lockdown looking at ways to operate more sustainably.”

The show of support from TAT and the Royal Thai Consulate Sydney highlights efforts to promote Thailand as a sustainable tourism destination, with the country’s tourism operators encouraged to conserve their local environment, use local produce, support local communities and minimise their carbon footprint.

To find out more about the ways Thailand is taking responsible tourism seriously, click here.

TAT is also hosting a product update for the industry in a couple of weeks’ time, where attendees will hear from over 20 Thai suppliers, airlines, accommodations and attractions, as well as gain some valuable destination and product updates from TAT and experience a few delicious Thai culinary delights.

The event will be in hybrid format, with an in-person event to be held at Doltone House Hyde Park in Sydney on Thursday 20 May, which will also be broadcast live for those who would prefer to participate virtually.

Both versions of the event are being held from 11am to 4:30pm (AEST).

Enjoy networking, mingling and hearing all about TAT’s latest updates – and maybe even winning some exciting prizes!

Having been forced to postpone the event in 2020, the demand for this year’s program is higher than ever and, as such, expressions of interest are now open.

So, for those keen to attend the Amazing Thailand Product Update, go HERE.

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