Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited, or SPRC, in alliance with Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and Rayong Entrepreneurs in Map Ta Phut and Ban Chang Industrial Estate Area, arranged a beach cleaning event in Rayong or International Coastal Cleanup 2022 (ICC 2022) under the campaign “Sea the Change.” SPRC and its alliance groups gathered more than 1,000 volunteers attending the cleaning event at Mae Ramphueng Beach, Rayong Province, and almost 3,000 kilograms of trash was collected.
Thailand has been fully aware of the importance of conservation and protection of its coastal area. Therefore, the event was held aiming to restore the natural beauty of the beach and raise the awareness of the environmental problem concerning the coastline eco-system and the general public duty of maintaining cleanliness.
Held in Rayong Province at Mae Ramphueng Beach, the event and its opening ceremony were honoured by Mr. Kitti Kieatmontri, Deputy Chief Executive of Rayong Provincial Administrative Organisation presiding, along with Mr. Puchong Saritdeechaikul, Director of Marine and Coastal Resources Office 1; Pol.Col. Thanakorn Nimmano, Director of Administration Department Acting Superintendent of Phe Provincial Police Station; Captain Anuphong Chanphruek, Deputy Director of Rayong-Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center; Mr. Sere Reunla, Rayong Provincial Fisheries Officer; Mr. Chanu Dejthananon, Chief of Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park; Pol.Col. Supakrit Thonglim, Scientist of Rayong Forensic Science Division; Mr. Pairat Arunvessaset, Mayor of Ban Phe Sub-district; Mr. Chakan Khacharint, Deputy Chief Executive of Taphong Subdistrict Administrative Organisation; Mr. Bancha Hadsom, Vice President of Taphong Side Hotel and Vice President of bottom bay’s Hotel and Restaurant; and Mr Adisorn Pattanaphakdee, President of Mae Ramphueng Beach Entrepreneur Club. Together with Mr. Robert Dobrik, Chief Executive Officer of Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited, there were several volunteers attending, including the management team and staff from SPRC, teachers, educational personnel, and students from schools in the area.
Mr. Robert Dobrik, revealed that, “Previously, the coastal protection campaign was created worldwide. Several countries carried out similar social services on the same day. The International Coastal Cleaning Day was set on the third Saturday of September every year. SPRC, therefore, has joined with alliance organisations continuously organising the event and this is the 20th anniversary year. The event aims to create awareness of the coastal eco-system and environment problem among industrial entrepreneurs, related organisations, locals, and youth as well as to raise engagement of the public on coastal cleanliness especially in Rayong, one of the most beautiful coastal areas. The event was held this year under the campaign of ‘Sea the Change’ where all volunteers gathered and collected trash along Mae Ramphueng Beach for more than 10 kilometres. Moreover, there were trash collecting competitions to win scholarships for six schools in Ban Phe Subdistrict Municipality, and Ta Phong Subdistrict Administrative Organisation. All waste and trash were sorted and quantities recorded for further analysis of the causes of beach-waste and a campaign for future prevention.”
As a result, 1,000 volunteers collected almost three tons of trash indicating the success and unity of Rayong people in tackling rather than ignoring any environment problems especially to their coastal eco-systems. The beautiful image of the coastal area of Thailand being well-protected and conserved due to people’s full awareness is therefore manifest for all to see.