BANGKOK, 5 June 2015 – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has marked the occasion of World Environment Day day by encouraging Thai people to use more environmentally-friendly products and less plastic bags.
During his weekly televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Prayut stated that the United Nations is placing an emphasis on eco-friendly production and consumption on World Environment Day this year which comes under the theme “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.” The premier affirmed that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has been conducting a number of projects and activities to raise awareness of environmental conservation among the people, especially youth.
One of them is the newly-launched Green Card project, in which shoppers can collect points and receive special privileges from their purchase of green products from participating department stores. It is aimed to instill in the people the habit of choosing items that are safe for the environment and can help reduce garbage and greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Gen Prayut, another campaign is also underway to discourage the use of plastic bags, which can take a long time to decompose. As part of the pilot project which will be introduced in shopping malls and convenience stores, plastic bags will not be available for shoppers on the 15th of every month as a way to promote the use of cloth bags.
