Seven winners of PTT’s Green World prize said they would return their awards because of the oil company’s responsibility for the Rayong oil spill. The Green World award honors organizations and individuals who protect the environment.
The award recipients said they were outraged by PTT’s reaction to the incident.
One of the winners, Dr. Rangsrit Kanjanavanit, who is the president of Lanna Bird and Nature Conservation Club, disclosed that he would return both his award and its THB100,000 prize. He stated that he wants to return his 2007 award because he would like to distance himself from the, “selfish and irresponsible organization” as much as possible. Rangsrit also said on his Facebook page that, “I feel that I could not be part of PTT’s green propaganda.”
Rangsrit went on by saying that oil spills can occur, however it was evident that PTT has not taken full responsibility for the disaster.
In 2003 Khemthong Morat, founder of Children Love the Forest Group, was given the Green World award. He will return the trophy, but the cash had already been spent, the Bangkok Post reported.
Khemthong will join Dr. Rangsrit today at PTT headquarters to personally return their prizes.
Additional recipients who have vowed to return their awards are: Ariya Morat, founder of Children Love the Forest Group, journalist Acharawadee Buaklee, and writers Maenwad Kunjara and Jarupong Chanphet. Joining them are organizations Green World magazine and Pangfan Nature Observation Centre.
