Koh Samui Cleanup Removes 20 Tons of Marine Debris
A two-day marine debris cleanup on Koh Samui collected approximately 20 tons of waste, mostly organic wood fragments, from a 270-meter beach stretch. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suthat Chomklin praised the collaboration between government agencies, local officials, MPs, community leaders, and volunteers. Authorities installed debris containment booms and plan systematic waste management to prevent further accumulation.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suthat Chomklin expressed gratitude and praised officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Koh Samui Municipality, relevant agencies, Surat Thani members of parliament, community leaders, business operators, and volunteer networks for joining forces to continuously collect marine debris at the beach in front of the DoubleTree hotel on Koh Samui, Surat Thani province. The effort aimed to urgently resolve the marine debris problem caused by currents and waves accumulating waste on the beach, while reducing impacts on the environment and tourism in the area. Minister Suthat stated that the collaboration of all sectors reflects cooperation in marine and coastal resource conservation. He requested all agencies coordinate closely, accelerate collection of stranded debris, and plan systematic waste management to prevent marine debris from spreading further.
On October 22, 2026, Chayaphum Sittiwang, Director of the Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Region 4, along with officials, Koh Samui Municipality, the Koh Samui Branch of the Regional Port Office, local leaders, and business operators, inspected the mass of marine debris washed onto a stretch of beach approximately 270 meters long. Most of the debris was organic wood fragments. Koh Samui Municipality used backhoes to collect about 15,000 kilograms of beach debris for sanitary disposal. Simultaneously, the Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Region 4 installed debris containment booms to prevent waste from drifting out of the area.
On October 23, 2026, officials continued the collection effort for a second day. Surat Thani MP Pipith Rattanaraks, together with Koh Samui Municipality, community leaders, business operators, and volunteer networks, supported machinery, equipment, and manpower to collect and transport additional stranded marine debris weighing approximately 5,000 kilograms. Over the two days, a total of approximately 20,000 kilograms, or 20 tons, of marine debris were collected. The Office of Marine and Coastal Resources Region 4 continues to coordinate with relevant agencies, local administrative organizations, community leaders, and volunteer networks to plan systematic collection, transport, and disposal of remaining marine debris.
