Pattaya’s overflowing garbage cans have a sickly-sweet aroma these days as remains of the bumper-crop fruit season fill up bins.
Fruit peels, seeds and leftovers are being blamed for a 50 ton increase in the region’s rubbish levels, already bursting the seams of Pattaya’s dumpsites.
The Sanitation Department has upped its pickups to as many as four times a day around markets but is still asking vendors to take extra care to dispose of their waste properly.
Cleanliness and sewage chief Sanya Tubtimsri said May 15 that peak season for durian and rambutan always sees garbage levels increase. Thus a private contractor was hired to pick up rubbish from markets and nearby neighborhoods.
The increase in pickups has corresponded with a decrease in complaints. However, illegal dumping continues, which is punishable by fines of 2,000 baht if violators are caught.