PHUKET: The plan to rid Phuket of all plastic bags in 2011-2012 has been seriously affected by the floods in Bangkok and by shopping shortages on Phuket.
Some might say that attention on Phuket and across all of Thailand has swung from plastic bags to sand bags.
Instead of having 840,000 reusable cloth bags as planned to distribute through supermarkets and department stores, Phuket campaigners have in hand just 30,000 bags so far - and more are not expected for some time.
The attention of all Phuket outlets and the customers of all outlets has been diverted. to more pressing needs.
With supply lines cut and water still seeping into more parts of Bangkok, the organisers of Phuket's biggest ever environmental project - and one of its most significant - have had to adapt.
''The strategy is going ahead from December 5,'' the head of Phuket's Energy Office, Jirasak Thamavet, said today. ''We are going to adapt the plan, though, to take account of the special circumstances.''
Rather than hand out the reusable bags in supermarkets and stores in a massive demonstration of the need for a fresh start, the campaign will be concentrated on Phuket district offices.
''Phuket residents will be able to come along with one or more plastic bags, produce their ID and swap the plastic ones for a reusable bag,'' Khun Jirasak said.
While the Phuket campaign is an excellent idea, organisers deemed providing flood aid and restoring stocks to supermarket shelves all over the country as the main priority.
''At present, we will try the Phuket bag give-away at Phuket district offices one day a week, and make announcements closer to December 5,'' Khun Jirasak said. ''Everybody has clear priorities at the moment.
''The support from all Phuket stores has been great and we hope to be able to expand the campaign just as soon as the post-floods national recovery process is complete.''
The plan on Phuket is still to begin the distribution of reusable bags on December 5, HM The King's 84th birthday, and continue through until February 27.
Some might say that attention on Phuket and across all of Thailand has swung from plastic bags to sand bags.
Instead of having 840,000 reusable cloth bags as planned to distribute through supermarkets and department stores, Phuket campaigners have in hand just 30,000 bags so far - and more are not expected for some time.
The attention of all Phuket outlets and the customers of all outlets has been diverted. to more pressing needs.
With supply lines cut and water still seeping into more parts of Bangkok, the organisers of Phuket's biggest ever environmental project - and one of its most significant - have had to adapt.
''The strategy is going ahead from December 5,'' the head of Phuket's Energy Office, Jirasak Thamavet, said today. ''We are going to adapt the plan, though, to take account of the special circumstances.''
Rather than hand out the reusable bags in supermarkets and stores in a massive demonstration of the need for a fresh start, the campaign will be concentrated on Phuket district offices.
''Phuket residents will be able to come along with one or more plastic bags, produce their ID and swap the plastic ones for a reusable bag,'' Khun Jirasak said.
While the Phuket campaign is an excellent idea, organisers deemed providing flood aid and restoring stocks to supermarket shelves all over the country as the main priority.
''At present, we will try the Phuket bag give-away at Phuket district offices one day a week, and make announcements closer to December 5,'' Khun Jirasak said. ''Everybody has clear priorities at the moment.
''The support from all Phuket stores has been great and we hope to be able to expand the campaign just as soon as the post-floods national recovery process is complete.''
The plan on Phuket is still to begin the distribution of reusable bags on December 5, HM The King's 84th birthday, and continue through until February 27.
FWIW. Over the past year I have tried very hard to use my own cloth bags. Attempted at Tesco, Tops and Big C in Phuket Town several times each. I am at about a 20% success rate. Occasionally they put one or two items in one of the cloth bags I have brought and then begin stuffing the rest in plastic bags and I consider that a success and is the 20%.
Typically they ignore the bags that I bring all together and stuff the cloth bags I brought into plastic and fill the rest of the plastic bags up with groceries.
If I am buying something at 7 I always tell them no bag please in Thai. They either argue with me or put it in a bag anyway.
The government keeps suggesting that this issue is one of educating the customers but I would say that my experience shows the education issue is with the retailers and their staff. I can't imagine how this issue is related to floods, if they haven't educated people at this point they would not be getting through to them in the next few months. Once again the environment takes a hit due to lack of will. While not a crisis at this point, It is a symbolic gesture that would signal and remind people about the need to care for the environment. Unfortunately this will probably line up next to banning jet skis and all the other well intentioned but never pursued crackdowns.
Posted by Martin on November 7, 2011 15:13