No more beer in glass bottles on Koh Tao

20 Sept 08:40 Key points summarised by AI

Koh Tao implements a ban on glass beer bottles starting September 1, allowing only canned beer to tackle the island's escalating waste issues.
This initiative is part of a broader government push for sustainable tourism on the island, involving cooperation between the Pollution Control Department and Surat Thani authorities.
The pilot project also urges residents to reduce single-use plastics and vendors to recycle garbage, aiming to minimize overall waste volume.
Officials emphasize protecting Koh Tao's renowned diving sites and ecosystem from the increasing garbage generated by tourism, striving for a plastic and glass-free environment.

Government to start building Chainat-Pasak-Gulf water diversion canal next year

Yesterday 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.