Will Thailand lead or lag in tackling plastic pollution?
As a leading contributor to ocean plastic pollution, Thailand’s position in the final global plastic treaty negotiations remains ambiguous.
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Bangkok – Thais were captivated online in November by the race to save the nation’s dugongs. Marine scientists planted seagrass and vegetables to provide additional food for these gentle sea cows that are struggling against plastic pollution and habitat loss.
Dugongs, with their distinctive snouts and smooth, grey skin, were once a common sight along Thailand’s southern coast. However, between 2023-2024, 73 of these large marine mammals were found stranded on the shore, threatening the already small population of just two hundred.
The rapid disappearance of seagrass, their primary food source, due to rising sea temperatures has left dugongs struggling to survive. To make matters worse, several dugongs were found intoxicated with plastic. While Thais online express their concern, few may recognise the root cause in their daily lives – plastics.
According to a recent report by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), plastic production, which relies on petroleum, is the third-largest contributor to Thailand’s greenhouse gas emissions, following the agriculture and industry sectors. As plastic production pollutes the climate, single-use plastics end up contaminating the ocean.
As the world prepares for the final round of global plastic treaty negotiations in Busan, South Korea, at the end of this month, Thailand’s stance on joining the efforts remains unclear.
A new rulebook to end plastic pollution
Two years ago, 175 nations agreed to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024. The aim is to address the full life cycle of plastic, from its production and design to disposal.
But after four negotiations and several meetings, countries have not reached a consensus. This leaves the INC-5 meeting (International Negotiating Committee) in Busan as the last chance to develop a plastic treaty text before its adoption next year.
Plastic was first produced only back in the early 20th century. But since 1950, the annual production of plastics has increased nearly 230-fold.
So far, the meetings have allegedly found common ground in part about recycling and regulating fishing gear, but disagreement remains in setting limits for plastic production and the dangerous chemicals used. The negotiations have reportedly been joined by several petroleum lobbyists, while society and local community representatives can only join as observers
Stronger action needed
Thailand, one of the world’s top ten countries for dumping plastic into the ocean as of 2022, launched an ambitious ten-year roadmap to phase out single-use plastics in 2018. However, the measures have weakened after the coronavirus pandemic and remain voluntary.
Two weeks before the global plastic treaty negotiation, to be held between November 25 and December 1, Greenpeace Thailand and 160 other environmental groups submitted an open letter to the Ministry representative. They urged the Thai delegates to take stronger action in the final round of negotiations.
“Plastic production should be down to a sustainable level and our economy should strive toward reuse,” said Pichamon Rakrod from Greenpeace Thailand “We want to see concrete action and a clear timeframe.”
Dr. Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee, waste management expert who initiated the leading urban zero waste initiative Chula Zero Waste, explained in a conference in October, “When the price of plastic is cheap, it means that environmental costs have not been included. We can no longer follow the free market; the government has to intervene with legally binding measures.”
Currently, Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) is developing the country’s first ‘sustainable packaging management’ bill, with the aim to charge environmental impact charges in the plastic supply chain.
Unclear direction from Thai delegates
With less than two weeks before the Busan meeting, Thailand’s standpoint remains unclear. According to Pichamon, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) will lead the negotiation, following the guidelines set by the National Board of Environment, chaired by the prime minister.
On the day the letter was submitted, the ministry representative did not give any interviews to the media. HaRDstories was later informed by the Ministry of Natural Resources Public Relations department that the board meeting, held on 16 November, stressed the importance of legal-binding measures, but that no other details were discussed.
Thailand has not joined the 40 countries that signed the non-binding declaration “Bridge to Busan” earlier in September. The pact declared a commitment to achieving a sustainable level of plastic production.
Compared to its counterpart, the UN Climate Conference happening around the same time, the plastic treaty meeting has garnered less attention from both authorities and the public.
If the Global Plastic negotiation does not conclude the final text in Busan, it is likely that the negotiation process will be extended to next year.
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- by Nicha Wachpanich
- by Nicha Wachpanich
