Example

     Environmental problems are threatening to leave the once pristine island of Samet in a horrendous mess. Due to booming tourism, the island’s four-rai landfill can no longer accommodate the tonnes and tonnes of garbage left behind by the rising number of tourists.

     Not only do the piles of garbage smell bad, it is also contaminating groundwater sources. According to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, this pile of garbage is an eyesore, even from a helicopter. The department is currently reviewing some plants submitted by Rayong authorities, including one proposed by the Rayong Adminstrative Organisation to relocate the garbage outside the island.

     The plan should be implemented within one year from now because Samet’s environmental problems need to be urgently solved.

     Head of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Jatuporn Burutpat, said that the main reason for the environmental damage was that there were more visitors to Samet than it could handle. In his view, a plant to limit the number of tourists should be implemented. Moreover, there is a study on the matter being conducted, and that is expected to be ready by the end of this year.

     Adding to the garbage problem, many unregulated buildings going up to serve the rising number of tourists have further damaged Samet’s environment. The authorities are putting efforts into ensuring that new facilities do not hurt the environment. Samet’s selling point should be its natural beauty.

     Relevant authorities are planning to launch various projects to revamp Samet and some facilities will be allowed, provided they are well regulated. For instance, one of the projects is to improve the 14-kilometre road around the island, which should cost less than 61 million baht and be completed within a year. In addition, the relevant authorities will improve the piers on the island two ends sure everyone’s safety.