The Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) went out to inspect Phuket’s Patong Beach yesterday following the introduction of the beach smoking ban on Nov. 1.
Director-General Jatuporn Buruspat said, “During our inspection, we found many tourists smoking within the designated smoking areas provided by the city. There were also no cigarette butts found on the beach. Patong Municipality has done a very good job on this campaign.”
The campaign was launched at 24 major tourist beaches around the country after data emerged showing just how dirty the beaches were and how much waste on the beach was smoking-related.
The DMCR, along with other agencies, decided to create a smoking ban aimed at making the beaches cleaner and more pleasant.
Jatuporn went on to note that, “Tourists at all 24 beaches have been provided with information about the policy. Most of them agree with the rules. They have also suggested that every beach be included in the campaign. I think that is the future. The smoking ban on beaches is good for environmental tourism. The most important thing is that seawater and marine life are protected. TRUE and the AIS mobile networks have cooperated with us by providing warnings in Thai and English via SMS before people enter the beaches. This innovation is part of the Thailand 4.0 initiative,” Jatuporn added.
He revealed that if the smoking ban campaign is successful after the law is enforced fully in February of 2018, the law might be extended to beaches throughout the country.
Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup accompanied Jatuporn on the inspection and said, “More designated smoking zones might be added to the 26 already set out along the three kilometer Patong Beach should they be needed. If people want more zones we will add them so we can keep cigarette butts off beaches.
After the initial 90-day amnesty, violators may face a fine of up to THB100,000 or even one year in jail for smoking on the beach.
Story: The Phuket News
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