The environment is precious, and even more so when you are taking a yachting trip around the beautiful island of Phuket.
So here at Simpson Yacht Charters we thought we would take a little look at how the people of Phuket are trying to protect their environment, and how you too can help them in their strives. We love Phuket and do our utmost to protect whilst enjoying the environment.
The waste problem
Recently there has been a huge new initiative to clean up Phuket. Environmental officials are on a mission to see the less well kept areas of the island become trash free as the Provincial Trash and Wastewater Committee handed down the directive to get the job done.
The order will mean that garbage collection will get a much-needed reboot, and efforts redoubled to ensure that the streets remain clean for all to enjoy. The island’s incinerator will be upgraded to be able to cope with the extra demand on the infrastructure. Wastewater treatment plants will also be updated and improved as part of the overhaul. The moves have been greatly welcomed by locals and visitors alike, and it is hoped that this initiative will see a much cleaner, greener, and more environmentally conscious Phuket come to life.
The water problem
Now water is very important to us here at Simpson – after all a yacht would be pretty useless without it! Greenpeace have long been outspoken about the water challenges that face the earth. Freshwater resources are dwindling, and this is accelerated by further coal power plants being built.
Thailand has been in the grips of a bad drought for some time now, with water levels in the country’s dams at lower than 10 per cent capacity. The Thailand Electricity Generating Authority still however is steaming ahead with plans for more coal plants despite it being the most water intensive form of power. Greenpeace and climate activists urge governments to reconsider and switch to renewable forms of energy to address the water problem.
The air problem
As well as the environmental challenges facing Phuket on the ground, there is also a big challenge in the air too.
Air pollution can happen in two main ways; firstly, pollutants being released directly into the air; secondly pollutants mixing to cause something we know as smog. These are known as primary pollutants and secondary pollutants respectively. Fossil fuels, the animal agriculture industry, and vehicle emissions are all causes of air pollution. Then there is manufacturing, deforestation, mining, and domestic such as household cleaning products and paints. Air pollution causes health problems, as well as contributing to climate change and damaging ecosystems.
So, what can be done about it? Air pollution very much needs to be tackled at a global level, however every little helps and there is much to be done at a local level too. Worldwide strides such as the Paris Agreement of December 2015 have helped unite all nations in the common cause of protecting our environment. That agreement, is reliant on nations each doing their bit, and the populations of those nations taking individual steps to reduce their footprint. It is the responsibility of everyone on the planet to be aware of the crisis, and to take action now. And this is something the government of Phuket are taking seriously.
Phuket is a beautiful place, and we can all help to keep it that way. There is no waving of a magic wand, there are no simple overnight solutions to the wider problems. But if we all did our little bit to help, the situation would turn around. Here at Simpson we like to try and do our bit for the planet, and very much wish to protect beautiful ecosystems our clients can enjoy. Nature is a remarkable, wonderful thing, and we must respect it and nourish it, not destroy it. We are excited by some of the innovative steps being taken in Phuket, but there is always more to be done.
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The gods are a pivotal part of the festivities. Gods Lam Tao and Pak Tao are invoked and these are said to keep track of the living and the dead. Here is where you can experience some of the most impressive ritualistic entertainment of the festival with people climbing bladed ladders, walking through fire, and bathing in hot oil.
East Side Diving comprises of lots of impressive coral reefs sloping down to the seabed. Probably the most famous east side dive site is East of Eden, a paradise for divers, huge boulders, gently sloping coral reefs interspersed with sandy patches and amazing marine life.
The main reason sailing in Phuket is so special, is thanks to its diverse marine life, and stunning scenery. Therefore, as a visitor to Thailand and a sailor using the waters, it is imperative to build up an understanding of the challenges the environment is facing, as well as what you can do to ensure you are not adding to the problems.
So why is protecting our oceans so important? Well for starters the worlds seas make up 72 per cent of our planet. It also drives the global weather patterns and our persistent preference for fossil fuels means it’s getting warmer. The ocean is also home to an immeasurable number of species of marine life, flora and fauna, and provides us with a large proportion of food. The ocean is a lung for the world, whilst the forests are the other; both providing the photosynthesis which allows us to breath.
Any form of pollution that enters the waters which is cement or sediment based, dramatically damages the beautiful corals for which so many sailors travel to Phuket to see. Big developments around the coast line are contributors to this. Waste water from built up areas is also a massive issue with treatment of sewage not at its best. When sailing in Phuket it may seem easier just to chuck any waste over the edge, or empty the bucket of water you have used to clean the decks, or any number of things. This is all pollution. World over there are issues with chemicals getting into the water system, oil spills, toxic waste, sewage, as well as the trash that gets pumped into the first lung of the planet. Eutrophication is a major concern. This is the process where the continental shelf surrounding Phuket is flooded with chemicals from various water pollutants such as fertilizer and waste. This fuels the growth of algae affecting the oxygen levels in the water, in turn making it harder for marine-life to breath.
Plastic packaging is King, which is very unfortunate for the seas and all who use them. There is a dump zone the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean full of all sorts of plastics. Not least plastic bags which to an innocent turtle looks like a tasty jelly fish. The number of marine animals found to have plastic in their stomachs is soaring, and is quite frightening as we eat some of these animals meaning plastics have entered our food chain. The most frightening of all the plastics are those which are too small for us to even see. These are the microplastics which are found in a number of beauty products, cleansing products, cleaning products, and more. There are huge campaigns across the globe to get companies to stop using microplastics in their products, and a great way to pressure this into reality is to put your money where your mouth is so to speak and choose greener alternatives. 46 per cent of plastics float, and drift for many years until they get sucked into a circular spin resulting in areas of concentrated waste like the one in the North Pacific mentioned. These swells are known as GYRES. The plastic eventually gets broken down through wind, water, and sunlight but they are then microscopic plastics which are just as dangerous to marine life.
Fish forms an integral part of the Thai diet, and wets appetites the world over. But over fishing through methods such as trawling with dragnets is not only depleting the world’s fish stock, but destroying the sea bed in the process too. Larger sea mammals can also become entangled in the nets, and have less food stuff for themselves. Shrimp farms bring their own sets of problems as contaminated water seeps into the oceans. Fishing boats using more traditional methods are also of concern as fishing gear and tackle often ends up in the ocean and inside or around any number of sea-residing creatures.
Years ago the west of Phuket was thriving with mangroves. These were cut back on a huge scale to make the beaches that are more appealing to tourists resulting in a visible decline in biodiversity.Mangroves are rich with flora and fauna that support one of the broadest array of wildlife, and their existence must be protected to limit the destruction to the food chain and wider ecosystem of some of the islands most treasured animals.
plastic all over the world. So consider researching local marine conservation groups when your yachting holiday is over, to make sure when you come back the scenery is even better than your memories tell you.
For any yacht charter whether in Phuket or elsewhere there is a lot you can do to make sure you are not contributing to the pollution of the sea.The oceans are a precious resource, and contain such a wealth and diversity of life – flora and fauna, that we must do everything we can to respect, protect, and resurrect our beautiful seas.
Phuket has an interesting climate. It is called the tropical monsoon climate which means that it is warm all year round. The hottest times of the year are between April and May, and September and October, although the latter is also the wettest. Between April and May temperatures can range from 80F to 95F (27C to 36C). During this time there can also be the odd short thundery shower, though this is often welcome relief from the intense heat. There is a lot to do in Phuket in April as the Thai New Year starts around the 13th. This is also known as 
Locals tend to enjoy June, July and August the most because the weather is lovely, and it tends to be a bit quieter than high season. The best time to go sailing in Phuket is probably also in the middle of the high season from December to March. Not only does this ensure that you will have a lot to do with your time on land, but it means you will enjoy clear blue skies, calm seas, and a little bit of a breeze. The rainy season brings large waves and also some dangerous undercurrents to Phuket’s Western beaches which means it is best to avoid the water during this time where possible. Red flags are flown when it is particularly tumultuous.
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