Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
doled out government clean-up funds. Pattaya built its first public wastewater treatment
plant in 2000 and conditions have improved ever since.
While Thais generally remain reluctant to engage in broader environmental campaigns,
people are increasingly aware of the issues, particularly when they will be affected. Local
people have campaigned for years against the building of dams, though usually without
success. Damage to a favourite beach during the filming of
The Beach
in Ko Phi-Phi
Marine National Park triggered demonstrations around the country and the filming of the
US TV show
Survivor
in Ko Tarutao Marine National Park provoked a similar outcry. As
a result, strict production and filming bans have been put in place to avoid similar issues
in the future. The construction of a petroleum pipeline to Songkhla in 2002 created a re-
markable level of grassroots opposition among ordinary village people.
A group of ecologically engaged Buddhist monks, popularly known as Thai Ecology
Monks, uses peaceful activism to empower local communities in their fight against
monolithic projects.
The Marine Environment
Thailand's coral reef system, including the Andaman coast from Ranong to northern
Phuket and the Surin and Similan Islands, is one of the world's most diverse. Some 600
species of coral reef fish, endangered marine turtles and other rare creatures call this
coastline home.
The 2004 tsunami caused high-impact damage to about 13% of the Andaman coral
reefs. However, damage from the tsunami was much less than first thought and relatively
minor compared to the ongoing environmental degradation that accompanies an industri-
alised society. It is estimated that about 25% of Thailand's coral reefs have died as a res-
ult of industrial pollution and that the annual loss of healthy reefs will continue at a rapid
rate. Even around the dive centre of Phuket, dead coral reefs are visible on the northern
coast. The biggest threat to corals is sedimentation from coastal development: new con-
dos, hotels, roads and houses. High levels of sediment in the water stunts the growth of
coral. Other common problems include pollution from anchored tour boats or other mar-
ine activities, rubbish and sewage dumped directly into the sea, and agricultural and in-
dustrial run-off. Even people urinating in the water as they swim creates by-products that
can kill sensitive coral reefs.
The environmental wake-up call from the tsunami emphasised the importance of man-
grove forests, which provide a buffer from storm surges. Previously mangroves were
