How Koh Larn became “Trash Island” and what is being done to fix it

13 Sept 08:51 Key points summarised by AI

Koh Larn, a popular tourist island, faces a severe waste crisis, accumulating 25 tonnes of garbage daily and an estimated 70,000 tonnes in its landfill, largely due to increased tourism and a 2015 regulation preventing waste shipment to Pattaya.
Pattaya City plans to install two high-heat, smoke-free incinerators this year to burn 50 tonnes of waste daily, aiming to clear the accumulated 70,000 tonnes in approximately seven years while minimizing environmental impact.
Thailand, the world's fifth-largest plastic waste producer, is implementing national strategies, including a 43% reduction in plastic bag consumption, a ban on plastic waste imports by 2025, and a roadmap to reduce single-use plastics and adopt a circular economy model.
Effective waste reduction on Koh Larn requires cooperation from all sectors, particularly tourists, by refraining from bringing in plastic waste onto the island and using biodegradable materials instead.

Five leopards spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park

Today 12:02 Key points summarised by AI

A rare sighting of five young leopards—three spotted and two black—occurred along a mountain road in Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park, marking an exceptionally unusual event.
This significant observation underscores the World Heritage Site's ecological richness and safety, providing critical data for monitoring the protected animals and assessing the biological value of areas near a proposed mining site.