Former deputy Army chief General Dapong Ratanasuwan may have expertise in the administration of Thailand's army, but I do not believe it is transferable to the subject of waste management. It was rather painful to read that he has "selected Phuket as a model province for garbage and toxic waste management". I was unaware that Phuket had a toxic waste master plan. Paint, organic compounds and solvents containing heavy metals are regularly poured into Phuket's sewage system, and the sewage system can not handle that type of waste. I've seen it firsthand many times in Patong. I was unaware that Phuket monitored well water on a regular basis to determine if waste was entering the well water sources. I was also unaware that Phuket had a toxic waste collection and safe disposal program. I would like to ask the general how he can sing the praises of Phuket's waste management system when raw sewage is still dumped into the klongs and ocean.

Posted by Ryan on September 21, 2014 12:20

The pong, rats and a sewer are just some of the issues that require attention!

Posted by Manowar on September 21, 2014 17:40

@Ryan I have also seen this first hand. Especially motorbike shops pouring oil down the drain in front of their shop.

From what the government says, if I believed everything they say about Phuket, it would literally be a model of heaven in every aspect.

Posted by Tbs on September 21, 2014 17:53

I think by coming in contact with the secretion of infected animals as well as by airborne particles in some cases. I assume that could include Mosquitos.
There was a lecture by some professor on the box last night discussing pandemics and this was one which was one being discussed. I didn't really take too much notice but I did hear him say that it has been around since about 1910, was almost considered eradicated in the 1970' s although they were aware that small pockets still existed.
It was considered a third world disease and therefore basically ignored.
He did suggest that the number of cases and how quickly it spread caught many people off guard.

Posted by Manowar on September 21, 2014 18:17

In the latest 5 years or so peoples eating habits has changed.

Before people cooked or went to a restaurant for eating.

Now they order food packed in foam boxes and eat half in their rooms, while they play with their small electronic devices.

Result is about 20 - 40 gallons a day of foam boxes half filled with food for a small hotel with 15 rooms.

Terrible stuff to handle - can't burn, can't do rotting organic.

A general mind change among all is needed, education creates consideration.

Posted by Hotel owner on September 21, 2014 19:49

"Big Rock Candy Mountain", first recorded by Harry McClintock in 1928, is a folk music song about a hobo's idea of paradise"

Not much candy in that million pounds of trash though - but we have numbers of destitute foreigners in Thailand right now - and many still consider Thailand a better paradise than the "paradise" waiting for them back home..

Posted by farang888 on September 21, 2014 21:31

Our technology is great - but we ain't living longer in general - a sad commentary on "high" tech

Perhaps we inundate ourselves with too much garbage - real and metaphorical

Posted by farang888 on September 21, 2014 22:57

People think the 4 stroke speedboats are so much better for the environment. What they do not see is that with every oil change, crews just empty the oil into plastic garbage bags and throw them in the garbage can!!! Same with the gear oil! I have seen this at Chalong beach, the Royal Phuket Marina and the Boat Lagoon - horrifying!!!
It would be intersting to know what the large auto dealers on the sland do with their hazardous fluids as well.

Posted by Tyler on September 22, 2014 07:56

Tyler,
The reason people think that is because it's true for a number of reasons.
- less oil is used over the life of the engine. A 2 stoke continually burns oil to atmosphere at the ration of about 1 litre per 50 of fuel
- 4 stroke is more efficient as the ignition and air fuel ratio can be controlled.
- in a 2 stroke engine, un burnt fuel is partially exhausted during the compression stroke.
- the only reasons 2 stroke are being phased out is because by their design, they cannot meet emission standards and noise controls.
On the other hand 2 stroke engines have a higher power to weight ratio, are simple to build, have far less moving parts and are easy to maintain.

If you work out the oil consumed or used between both you find the 2 stroke will use many times the amount of oil than used by a 4 stroke engine.

Posted by Manowar on September 22, 2014 09:49