10 things you can do to reduce your environmental impact while in Thailand - Part 2

The Second part on our series on how to reduce your impact on Thailand during your stay!

Here at Wicked Diving, we do all we can to reduce our impact on the environment. As a dive shop, we know the choices we make can have a big impact. We use a lot of cleaning supplies, so using natural products makes a big difference. It takes a lot of fuel to run our trips, so by using bio-fuels, we make a big impact. But you as a tourist can also make an impact. You might not realize how many things you can do as a tourist in Thailand, but here's just a few.

6) Take your old batteries home with you. Thailand does not have a good battery recycling program. There used to be one in Phuket, but it's since been shut down. At Wicked Diving we're keeping all our old batteries until there is a new program, but that may be another couple of years. So please don't throw your batteries out, pack them away and take them back to your own country where they'll be properly recycled.

7) Rent a bicycle rather than a motorcycle. Most cities and towns now have somewhere to rent bikes. Its good exercise, you'll see more on a bike, and its safer than speeding along on a moped. All while doing a little bit for the planet.



8) Support local restaurants. Most local restaurants buy their food locally, which means it doesn't have to travel so far. Chains like fast food restaurants have their food and packagings delivered amazing distances. So try some local dishes, even if you're not sure what you're ordering. You might find some new favorite dishes and make some new friends in the process.

9) Choose a fan room over an air-con room. Air conditioning is one of the biggest users of electricity. Many visitors find the heat of Thailand overwhelming, but a well-ventilated room with a fan can be quite comfortable and the open windows will allow you to experience the night-time song of the geckos.

10) Refuse the plastic bag. No matter where you shop in Thailand, and no matter what you buy, the clerk will want to give you a plastic bag - even for one item. Just say no. "May sai toong", means "don't put it in a bag". Carry an extra plastic bag in your pocket or purse in case you do need one, and if its just for one item, just refuse one. 7-11 is one place that will try to bag everything. Just politely say no, and say "Save earth". Its the slogan for the Thai environmental programs, and most Thai people understand it in English. By refusing the bag and saying "Save earth" we can all remember why we're not taking that bag.


So there's just 10 things you can do as a tourist to help make Thailand just that much greener.


-Similan Islands Diving