Speaking during a visit to Phuket yesterday (May 8), Pol Gen Patcharawat expressed his concern over the accumulation of fishing net waste and monsoon debris, which pose a threat to both tourism and marine ecosystems.
He called on the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) to devise effective countermeasures to mitigate these issues and safeguard the region’s coral reefs from bleaching, said an official report of his visit.
Pol Gen Patcharawat yesterday inaugurated the new Phuket Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office. He spoke with local residents and heard their grievances, ranging from wastewater treatment to land allocation for housing in mangrove forest areas.
Ratsada Municipality council member Teera Phumchuai thanked Pol Gen Patcharawat for meeting with local villagers and hearing their complaints. However, he highlighted the pressing need to address coastal erosion and expedite the urban forest project for sustainable development.
In response, Pol Gen Patcharawat promised to expedite the "Mangrove Forest Ban Ao Kung, Tha Le, Lang Daeng, Phuket," urban forest project by June, and emphasised the importance of community involvement in environmental conservation efforts, said the report
Addressing wastewater treatment concerns, Pol Gen Patcharawat highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) and local authorities to implement effective management plans.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to combating waste pollution, assigning the DMCR to tackle fishing net and monsoon waste issues ahead of the upcoming season to minimise environmental impact.
Continuing his tour, Pol Gen Patcharawat visited the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center of the Upper Andaman Sea at Cape Panwa to assess coral bleaching and discuss sustainable solutions with village representatives.
He highlighted the importance of addressing coastal erosion in the Sai Kaew Beach area, and called for the planting of more trees to preserve the delicate ecosystem.