BANGKOK, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Thai government has rolled out a new measure requiring visitors to all national parks to bring their own garbage bags, effective from Jan. 1 next year.
With the hashtag "Everyday Say No To Plastic Bag," Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on Wednesday has called on all park visitors to carry their own plastic bags to contain the garbage they generate and take it out of the parks when they leave.
The measure is part of the new approach to conserve the environment and to protect wild animals from ingesting plastic, which may lead to fatality.
The latest victim was a wild deer, which was found dead last Thursday in the northern province of Nan at Khun Sathan national park.
Post-mortem study found that the deer's stomach contained about 7 kg trash, mostly plastic including single-use plastic bags, male underwear, plastic rope, rubber gloves, coffee sachets and instant noodle bags.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Warawut Silpa-archa said that he had already instructed chiefs of all national parks to warn tourists to bring their own garbage bags. And signs banning plastic bags are erected at park entrances.
Warawut, an avid anti-single use plastic bag campaigner, has been very active in calling on private sectors to participate in the government's "no plastic bag" policy.
Since September, large retailers, plastic manufacturers and department stores have signed an agreement with the ministry in ceasing hand-outs of single-use plastic bags to customers, starting Jan. 1 next year nationwide.
