Staff Of M'sian Embassy In Bangkok Joins Effort To Ensure Chao Phraya Stays Clean

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa BANGKOK, Sept 14 (Bernama) – Armed with brooms and black garbage bags, members of the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok rolled up their sleeves and were ready yo get "dirty" in a worthy cause to ensure the city's Chao Phraya river stays clean and garbage-free for future generations. In the community-based environmental campaign "Clean Up Bangkok River", more than 20 Malaysian participants scrubbed roads near the mighty river and picked up garbage in areas surrounding the river. "The objective of the programme is to clean up surrounding areas especially along the Chao Phraya river. We also joined hands with a local university, Mahidol University to do research on waste and garbage disposal in Bangkok," said Malaysian embassy's first secretary Johan Ikram Ahmad Rusli Thursday. From the data compiled through the programme, the university he said, would come up with better solutions on how Bangkok could better address problems related to the disposal of plastics and other types of garbage. He hoped the programme, which is in its second year, would leave a meaningful impact to ensure Bangkok and its river stayed clean, as well as increasing awareness among its communities about the importance of a clean river. Besides the Malaysian embassy, other participants in the programme included the staffs from the Australian embassy, Mahidol University students, Wat Suanphlu secondary students, BNH Hospital and employees from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Participants of the programme were designated certain areas near the Chao Phraya river to undertake cleaning work. The programme was organised by a non-governmental organisation, Bangkok River Partners to remove rubbish from streets, public spaces and canals that might feed into the Chao Phraya river and onto the beaches in the Gulf of Thailand. -- BERNAMA