Thailand's Ao Manao Beach rated "5 stars" on environmental entirety

BANGKOK, August 14 (TNA) - Ao Manao Beach in Thailand's upper southern Prachuap Khiri Khan Province has been given a "5 stars" brand for its environmental entirety. The Pollution Control Department, under the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, has given the "5 stars" rating to the Ao Manao Beach for its best environmental quality, as part of the "stars" beach rating project, launched by the department and relevant agencies. The department's director-general, Wijarn Simachaya, told journalists on Friday that his department and the central committee on beach quality evaluation, comprising representatives from agencies concerned, have inspected the Ao Manao Beach and agreed that the beach be rated "5-stars" for its environmental entirety. Earlier, the Royal Thai Air Force's Wing 5 in Prachup Khiri Khan, which supervises Ao Manao Beach, nominated the beach for the environmental evaluation project and the beach was rated "4-stars in 2012. To be rated "5-stars", Thai beaches must be certified environmental entirety, covering clean and fresh air, no pollution of all forms, namely noise, garbage waste water and oil slicks, as well as appropriate environmental and tourism management. Other Thai beaches which have also been rated "5-stars" include Lam Sala Beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ao Kha Beach, Sam Sao Beach in Surat Thani Province and Tai Muang Beach, Ao Keuk Beach and Mai Ngam Beach in Phang-nga Province. (TNA)