More than 80 employees from the Holiday Inn Pattaya and Ibis Pattaya 2 hotels shaped rope into artificial trees to be submerged off the Naklua coast to help restore the marine ecosystem there.
Kamonwan Wipulakorn, president of the Erawan Group PLC, which owns the Pattaya hotels, organized the Aug. 25 activity with the Rayong Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. Local fishermen were also invited to the event at Lan Po Public Park.
Holiday Inn Pattaya and Ibis Pattaya Hotel employees make artificial trees from ropes to be dropped in the Naklua Reefs Preservation area.
Attendees tied rope into bush and tree formations that can be used as shelter for animals and a foundation for coral once dropped into the sea.
“I think this activity is beneficial to many departments for Pattaya,” Kamonwan said. “Natural resources are important and must be accounted for. I believe that to build stability for tourism, aquatic resources must be diverse, thus, the activity, which we had received collaboration from DMCR including sponsorship of equipment and officers helping us to lay the artificial trees in the Naklua Reef Preservation Area, was a success.”
Montree Hamontree, general manager of prevention and control for DMCR, said original plans called for coconut leaves but ropes were deemed to last longer underwater.
The Erawan Group pledged to continue its efforts to benefit society, continuing next with an “underwater hotel” for fish. Public officials will check the progress of the latest effort in coming days.
Kamonwan Wipulakorn (center) helps make the artificial trees from ropes.
Holiday Inn Pattaya and IBIS Pattaya Hotel’s employees board small boats ship to take their creations to the Naklua Reefs Preservation area.
Kamonwan Wipulakorn (5th from left), president of the Erawan Group PLC., pose with employees from Holiday Inn Pattaya and Ibis Pattaya Hotel.
