Bangkok Bank carried out its Bualuang Save the Earth: Rak Tha Chin project in cooperation with local government agencies and community network partners in Samut Sakhon Province to install litter traps in the pilot areas of Khlong Luang Sahakon and Khlong Pittayalongkorn, Khok Kham Subdistrict, to reduce the amount of waste flowing into the Tha Chin River and the Gulf of Thailand by more than 148 tons per year. Meanwhile, the Bank has studied the origins of waste in order to get to the root of the problem while emphasizing its role as a trusted partner and reliable close friend committed to building a foundation for sustainability for Thai society as it enters its 80th year of operations.
Bangkok Bank Director and Senior Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary Mr. Kobsak Pootrakool said the Bank started the Bualuang Save the Earth: Rak Tha Chin project to help solve the waste problem in the Tha Chin River, which is one of the five main rivers that flow into the Gulf of Thailand. At present, the first phase is underway. Recently, the Bank collaborated with local government agencies, people, and communities including Samut Sakhon Province, the Marine and Coastal Resources Office 8, the Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute, the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center (Upper Gulf of Thailand), the Samut Sakhon Fisheries Association, the Marine Office Samut Sakhon Branch, the Khok Kham Subdistrict Administrative Organization and Wat Sahakon Khositaram to install litter traps in the pilot areas of Khlong Luang Sahakon and Khlong Pittayalongkorn, Khok Kham Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province, after research showed a large amount of waste coming from nearby communities until it gathered in these areas before being swept into the Tha Chin River and the Gulf of Thailand.
The installed litter trap consists of three types of tools: a buoy-strung litter trap (Boom) made from yellow HDPE plastic, sized 0.35x0.50 meters, with a net length of 15 meters, a depth of 50 centimeters below the water surface, and a lifespan of 5-7 years; bamboo cage litter trap which is a bamboo frame with nets, sized 3x3 meters, with a lifespan of 3-5 years, and staking litter trap which is a bamboo frame tied to a net, sized 5x10 meters, and a lifespan of 3-5 years. These types of tools are suitable for all tidal currents, and they will help trap waste that flows downstream and prevent it from flowing into the Tha Chin River and the Gulf of Thailand. At the same time, a permanent waste shelter was installed for storing plastic bottles both from the surface of the water and on land in the shape of the whale shark “Nong Jud”, the big brother of the sea. Plastic beverage bottles are one of the most common marine wastes found in Thailand. A “Nong Jud” shelter has been installed at two points in the courtyard of Wat Sahakorn Khositaram which is an area where events and flea markets are held regularly. All of these tools will have local staff coming to take care of them regularly by separating and recycling waste. As for waste that cannot be recycled, or orphaned waste, it will be sent to make alternative fuels for further benefit.
Mr. Kobsak added that in addition to installing litter traps, the plan’s second phase is underway and is organizing activities in collaboration with local agencies to raise awareness of household waste separation for communities and schools, which will help supplement income to families. As the community comes to understand more details around the amount of waste that can be separated, the Bank will begin to work towards the establishment of a waste bank project for people and companies to exchange, buy and sell waste in the area in order to manage waste in a complete and efficient manner.
"The Bualuang Save the Earth: Rak Tha Chin project was launched to build engagement for solving the problem of marine debris. The Tha Chin River is one of the five major rivers that flow into the sea, responsible for more than 14 million pieces of garbage, or about 148 tons, per year. It is a big issue that we can't ignore and must remove these wastes as quick as possible. At the same time, new waste must be prevented from flowing into the river, which creates more problems. This is the why the installation of the garbage trapping tools as the first phase of the project needs to be done urgently. At the same time, members of the Bualuang Green Team and a team of volunteers from the Bank's head office and branch staff, together with Khok Kham Subdistrict Administrative Organization, participated in the activity. Data will be recorded to measure the amount and origin of each type of waste in order to better understand the problem and solve the root of the problem. This will make the solution effective and sustainable," said Mr. Kobsak
Mr. Wasan Kawjunan Assistant Village Headman, Moo 8, Khok Kham Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province and a resident of Khok Kham Sub-district for more than 37 years, said that the installation of waste trapping tools as part of Bangkok Bank’s Bualuang Save the Earth: Rak Tha Chin project should help solve the problem of waste flowing into the sea and produce more tangible results. As urban areas have started to expand over the past 20 years there has been an increase in housing estates and factories. As a result, the problem of garbage and sewage flowing into rivers and canals has increase, which affects the environment. It also results in more encroachment on fishing and natural areas. Locals in the area, most of whom are engaged in coastal fishing or shrimp farming, have a hard time finding natural baby shrimp, and even swimming in the canal is not possible because the water is not clean.
"We hope that the installation of garbage traps will be a starting point to help stop garbage from flowing into the coast and sea, which is one of the major causes of the problem. Then, we must work together to restore marine and coastal natural resources, so the natural baby shrimp will be increased. At the same time, we work to instill environmental awareness among the youth, which we believe will lead to good habits so they can help change the environment for the better in the future." said Mr. Wasan.
The Bualuang Save the Earth: Rak Tha Chin project was born from Bangkok Bank's intention to tackle marine debris. Bangkok Bank signed a Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in Marine Debris Management with the participation of all sectors in the estuary on June 8, 2022 in Phuket to participate in 5 projects for the pilot phase. Participations divided the areas of responsibility into 5 major rivers that flow into the sea (for the 5-year plan from 2023 – 2027). Bangkok Bank has visited the area with local government agencies and communities and plans to work together to find solutions to multiple problems in the area. The comprehensive solutions increase participation and generate income for communities, so the solutions will achieve a concrete and sustainable marine debris management goals.
Mr. Kobsak concluded that in addition to the Rak Tha Chin project, which is part of the Bualuang Save the Earth project, the Bank also organizes various ongoing activities, including inside Bangkok Bank's head office building and bank branches. The Bank raises awareness of the most efficient use of energy and resources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation. This is in line with one of the Bank's sustainability policies that has been clearly defined under four approaches: 1. Risk management, 2. Human resource management, 3. Good corporate governance, and 4. Creating sustainable value for society and the environment, which have been the foundation of the Bank's business operations for 80 years. This reaffirms its commitment as a trusted partner and reliable close friend that works to earn the highest trust through sustainable business operations.
