Thailand has a massive trash problem, one that is kept well hidden from tourist brochures.
Thailand imports waste from industrialized nations. Prior to the import restriction, Thailand was one of the world’s largest importers of plastic garbage in the world, importing around 2 million metric tons in 2018.
On February 21, the Cabinet announced that Thailand will ban the import of all plastic waste by 2025.
This should help but will not fix the issue of Thailand’s own waste.
Thailand cannot seem to manage it’s own waste.
Thailand’s waste management revolves around governance issues such as inadequate enforcement of laws, ineffective agency collaboration and corruption.
Because of low compliance rates and inconsistent enforcement, businesses are sugarcoating by setting aside the law when it comes to recycling and waste segregation, which undermines the effectiveness of waste reduction initiatives.
Once again that ugly word CORRUPTION rears it’s head.
Trash issues are not as important as making money, plain and simple.
Anyone that has been on the streets of Bangkok around midnight, will see hoards and hoards of giant rats going through the trash waiting to be picked up.
It is an ugly situation that Thailand does it’s best not to publicize.
Ignoring the issue will not fix it!