The death of a pregnant whale from consuming plastic waste has brought tears to many animal lovers' eyes and sparked anger over the government's failure to manage plastic pollution.
The viral image of the deceased dwarf sperm whale is both heartbreaking and graphic. Alongside the image of the dead whale is a picture of her unborn male calf, as well as the bubble wrap and plastic sheet that marine officials removed from her body after she was found on a Phuket beach earlier this week.
This senseless death is just one of many cases of sea animals dying due to marine debris. What's more disturbing is that this latest tragedy will not be the last.
These marine animals are indeed victims of the Thai government's failure to take a strong stance against polluters.
According to the Pollution Control Department (PCD), Thailand ranks among the top 10 global contributors to marine plastic pollution.
The country produces around two million tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet only 25% is recycled -- most ends up in the sea.
While other nations have implemented strong taxation or even legal bans to reduce plastic waste and consumption, the Thai government has stuck with voluntary reductions for decades.
The PCD's attempts to impose taxes on plastic have been stuck in parliament since the 1990s due to powerful lobbying from the plastic industry. Subsequent governments have made no effort to revive or resubmit these proposals.
Local administrations, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, lack the funds to finance effective garbage disposal and recycling programmes because they are unwilling to raise garbage collection fees or implement effective tax measures.
The most noticeable change in Thailand so far has been the voluntary switch to cloth bags instead of single-use plastics.
It is shameful. Even Rwanda -- a country in Africa once plagued by civil war -- banned plastic bags in 2008.
The pertinent question now is: What is the environmental policy of the Paetongtarn Shinawatra cabinet?
Lest we forget, the draconian Prayut government at least demonstrated some green vision with its policy to turn Thailand into Asean's bio hub by 2027, making the bio-circular-green (BCG) economic model a solution to climate change and a core strategy for sustainable economic growth.
In 2018, the junta government banned single-use plastic bags and urged retailers not to provide them for free as of Jan 1, 2020.
However, this initiative fizzled out when Thailand went into lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic later that year. Will the new Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on take on such a monumental garbage issue?
Cabinet members and Prime Minister Paetongtarn must remember that environmental concerns are not just a matter of conscience; they are a crucial element of economic competitiveness.
Pollution, such as marine waste and PM2.5, will gradually erode the potential of our tourism industry. The continued use of toxic chemicals and fossil fuels will eventually hinder our exports to the European Union and other environmentally conscious nations.
It is hoped that our new government and fresh faces in the coalition will demonstrate their green vision and swiftly tackle pollution problems. Nature will not wait.