Thailand's national parks ban single-use plastics

Thailand on Wednesday banned polystyrene packaging and single-use plastics in national parks.

Thailand's Ministry of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants said the ban was necessary to protect the ecology.

Violators face a fine of up to 100,000 baht (2,734 euros) if caught bringing single-use plastic items or polystyrene containers to the parks.

The new regulations came into effect on Wednesday, April 6, after being published in the Royal Gazette a day earlier.

The ban applies to "plastic bags less than 36 microns, plastic food containers, cups, straws and cutlery," the statement said.

According to Greenpeace Thailand, plastic waste poses a threat to the country's wildlife, particularly its elephant population.

Digesting plastic can block animals' intestines and disrupt their digestive systems.

Elephants in Khao Yai National Park , a three-hour drive northeast of Bangkok , have been eating packaging and plastic bags have been found in their droppings.

Land-based plastic pollution can also seep into waterways and threaten river ecology and marine life.

Waters off the coast of Thailand are choked with pollution, and the coronavirus pandemic has caused plastic waste to explode as demand for takeout food increases.

The baby dugong Marium, after conquering the country with this photo, died from swallowing plastic bags.

See: Baby dugong Marium dies in Thailand after ingesting plastic

Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and Vietnam together produce half of the plastic waste in the world's oceans, according to the campaign group Ocean Conservancy.

Thailand banned the sale of single-use plastic bags in supermarkets and department stores in 2020, but they are still distributed by street food vendors, cafes, markets, and small retailers.

See: Ban on plastic bags at retailers in Thailand has come into effect

Thais used an average of about eight a day before the ban in department stores.

The government wants 100% recyclable plastic to be used by 2027.

See also:

Thailand could become the hub of bioplastic production

5 National Parks to Discover in Thailand

Source: Bangkok Post