The event, held at Queen Sirikit Park, brought togethera host of high-level local officials, including Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat; Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO); Phuket City Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas; and Ratchadaporn O-in, of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Phuket office.
Other key stakeholders present included Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation; Dr Tiranee Achalakul, Director of the Government Big Data Institute, and leaders from both public and private sectors, including Samyot Pathan, President of the Old Town Community Enterprise.
The project, initiated by the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, represents a collaborative effort between the Phuket City Municipality, the Big Data Institute and the local community. Its goal is to significantly reduce the environmental impact of tourism while promoting sustainable practices, said an official report of the event.
The programme focuses on efficient resource management, greenhouse gas reduction, systematic waste handling, low-carbon transportation development and public awareness campaigns.
By implementing these measures, the initiative seeks to make Phuket Old Town carbon-neutral by 2030, setting a precedent for sustainable tourism practices nationwide, eth report added.
Among the waste management innovations launched under the campaign, to tackle waste systematically the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation has introduced a colour-coded waste separation system: Blue, for waste for incineration; Green, for organic waste processed via an on-site digester, Yellow, for recyclable materials and Pink for grease trap fats.
An organic waste digester installed in the Phuket Old Town area is already reducing landfill waste by at least 400kg a day, the report noted.
The Big Data Institute has implemented intelligent CCTV systems to monitor traffic and calculate vehicle-related carbon emissions. Data from these systems, combined with information from the Pollution Control Office and local waste statistics, enables real-time environmental management.
Minister Surawong also endorsed Phuket’s bid to host the ‘Global Sustainable Tourism Conference’ (GSTC) in April 2026, which he said signals the government’s commitment to elevating Phuket as a global leader in sustainability.
“This initiative aligns with our national strategy to enhance sustainable tourism and address environmental challenges,” said Minister Surawong. “Phuket Old Town will serve as a blueprint for other regions aiming to balance tourism growth with environmental preservation.”
Phuket is set to become Thailand’s first province with a comprehensive carbon reduction strategy, paving the way for a greener future while preserving its rich cultural heritage, he noted.
After officiating the event at Queen Sirikit Park, Tourism Minister Sorawong walked the streets of Phuket Old Town to observe and support sustainable tourism efforts in the area.
Exploring key sites on foot, Minister Sorawong visited ‘Bann 92’, .where he tried his hand at cooking stir-fry Hokkien noodles, and at making Angku, the distinctive local cakes shaped like turtles used during local Chinese and Peranakan cultural festivals.
As he strolled along Thalang Rd and Soi Romanee, the minister interacted with tourists and residents, stopping to take selfies and commenting on fostering eco-tourism.
The visit by Minister Sorawong yesterday came just six days after the Department of Tourism last Monday (Nov 18) launched an initiative to promote low-carbon tourism routes as part of its 2024 fiscal year agenda, with a showcase event held in the historic Phuket Old Town.