“World Ocean Day, designated by the United Nations on June 8th annually, aims to raise awareness of the global crisis facing the seas and oceans. The Faculty of Marine Technology (MT), whose core mission is to develop personnel and knowledge for the sustainable use and preservation of marine resources, is directly involved in ocean conservation. MT would like to contribute to raising awareness about the importance and care of the ocean by organising the “Rak Talay 68” (Love the Sea 68) project.
Project Coordinator: Assistant Professor Dr. Wirote Laongmanee
Objectives:
- Revitalise Chao Lao Beach through a comprehensive cleanup, maintaining its reputation as a famous tourist spot in Chanthaburi.
- Educate high school students on critical marine environmental issues and foster lasting awareness.
- Develop the Faculty of Marine Technology students as leaders of coastal resource conservation and awareness campaigns.
Program Activities:
The project was implemented at Chao Lao Beach, Tha Mai District, Chanthaburi Province. Schedule: The activity took place on Sunday, June 1, 2025. The process involved travelling from the campus to Chao Lao Beach and registering (7:00 – 7:30 a.m.). o Briefing on the cleanup operation, including waste sorting and equipment distribution (7:30 a.m.). o The cleanup operation along Chao Lao Beach (8:00 – 11:00 a.m.). The high school students were divided into four groups. Students from the Faculty of Marine Technology served as group leaders, guiding the students in collecting trash and communicating information about the types and sources of beach litter. o Collection, sorting, counting, and recording of the collected trash (11:00 – 11:30 a.m.). o Wrap-up, Q&A, and event closing (12:00 p.m.). Participants: The target for the project was 40 participants. The actual number of participants reached 60 people, exceeding the goal. o 37 high school students (The target was 40 students). o 23 faculty members, scientists, and students from the Faculty of Marine Technology.
Expected Outcomes (Impacts):
The project successfully contributed to coastal cleanup and awareness efforts, directly supporting SDG 14: Life Below Water, which specifically targets issues related to marine pollution. • Waste Mitigation: A total wet weight of 230 kilograms of trash was collected from the beach. • Disposal: The collected waste was compiled for the Khamong Sub-district Administrative Organisation to handle for final disposal. • Youth Leadership and Awareness: The activity successfully built the confidence and knowledge of the student group leaders. Crucially, it fostered awareness of cleanliness and waste reduction among all participants, fulfilling the original intent of World Ocean Day. The project met its goal for the number of participants.
Date of Implementation: June 1, 2025
