Protecting Chao Lao for Sustainable Development

          The coastal areas of the eastern provinces are very popular with both Thai and foreign tourists for relaxation and various tourist activities, due to their beautiful beaches and suitability for relaxation. However, these beaches, which are important tourism resources, are sometimes affected by the problem of trash washed up by the waves, which significantly impacts the tourism image of the eastern provinces. Chanthaburi province, in particular, boasts tranquil beaches ideal for relaxation. Chao Lao Beach in Tha Mai district, in particular, is a long stretch of beach where swimming is possible almost along its entire length. This has led to a large number of accommodations and restaurants catering to tourists. However, Chao Lao Beach consistently faces the problem of beach litter. This waste is typically floating debris that washes up onto the beach. Although local authorities regularly remove it, this disposal process causes environmental pollution because most of the waste is plastic, which takes a very long time to decompose. Furthermore, the waste problem also poses a challenge to tourist establishments such as accommodations and restaurants along the beach, which primarily employ local workers. A decrease in tourism due to waste problems will create social issues resulting from reduced income, and also cultural problems. This is because Chao Lao Beach relies on traditional fishing, which is a source of seafood for accommodations and restaurants along the beach. These local fishermen have beliefs in unique local sacred objects, and a decline in traditional fishing could lead to the loss of these local cultural traditions. Furthermore, the Faculty of Science and Arts, Burapha University, Chanthaburi Campus, will encourage its students to utilize collected waste to create innovative works, thereby generating opportunities to develop these into products for future sale. Therefore, the Department of Business Administration and Logistics Management and Border Trade, Faculty of Science and Arts, has launched the “Chao Lao Conservation Project for Sustainable Development” as a pilot program to expand its implementation to local agencies in the area. This project promotes efforts in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Starting with Goal 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, and sub-goal 14.1, to prevent and significantly reduce all types of marine pollution, especially from land-based activities, including marine litter and nutrient pollution, by 2025.