Thammasat University cooperates with several organizations announcing the second year’s campaign “Kayaking for Chao Phraya” for 10 days in 10 provinces from 1-10 October 2019. The aim of the campaign is to urge people to stop throwing trash in the river and raise awareness on plastic usage.
Asst.Prof.Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, Vice Rector for Sustainability and Administration,Thammasat University, states that campaign “Kayaking for Chao Phraya” will remove garbage from the river including 10 provinces starting from Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Bangkok ending in the river mouth in Phra pradaeng, Samut Prakan. The total distance is 350 km. and volunteers are both Thais and foreigners, including students and professors from Thammasat University and other people who are interested in this campaign. The objective of the campaign is to educate locals about proper waste sorting. After garbage collection, about 400 volunteers would train local people how to sort and dispose garbage.
This year, we collected 3,215 kg. of trash and found that there were more than 100 kg. of hazardous waste such as pesticides, paints and solvents. After collect the trash, they also found out that Taling Chan village and area around the river is an area they found the most trash. Wastes in the river included foam, food containers, plastic bottles, spoiled tires and large bin bag.
“After evaluating water quality, the result is quite shocking and worrisome. The quality of water is worse than the previous year. Quality of water in the Chao Phraya River in all provinces is lower than a good criteria because the level of DO is higher than 6 milligrams/litre. Also, the area where the water is most polluted is in Bangkok area and the level of DO is only 1.7 milligrams/litre. The water is considered in a bad condition which is suitable for transportation only.” Asst.Prof.Dr. Prinya said.
Our objective of this campaign is not only reducing the trash in the river, but also aim for zero waste. We can do it by raising people’s awareness and changing their behavior about proper trash management. It will reduce the number of trash dumping in the river which flows into the sea and becomes a threat to sea creatures.
“Thammasat will not give up until Thai people stop dumping trash in river”- Asst.Prof.Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul