Today evening (20 January 2020) at Central Festival Department Store, Had Yai District, Songkla Province, H.E. Mr. Varawut Silpa-Archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment preside over the opening activity “ Every day Say No to Plastic Bag” and leaded the campaign team to invite public to reduce using single-use plastic bags and plastic packages. H.E. Mr. Prapat Pothasuthon, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives participated in the ceremony together with Mr. Chatuporn Chaimaphat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, executives from agencies under MNRE, Mr. Narit Mongkolsri, Vice Governor of Songkhla, executives from Central Pattana Public Company Limited, executives of Central Food Retail Group. Moreover, there were representatives from government agencies, private sectors, state enterprises, the public sector, and media to participat in this event.

            H.E. Mr. Varawut Silpa-Archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment gave a speed that the activity “Every day Say No to Plastic Bag” is the campaign to reduce using single-use plastic bags and plastic packages with Central Pattana Public Company Limited and Central Food Retail Group, which are a private network partner of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Those partners have organized activities and campaigns related to the conservation of natural resources and the environment continuously. They are also the main driving force to disseminate information and news to create knowledge and understanding for both Thai people and foreigners.

Since 1 January 2020, Thai people have given a great gift to Thailand and our world, especially for our offspring, to be in a pleasant environment. Department stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores nationwide, the private network partner of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, unite to stop providing single-use plastic bags to their customers. With this campaign, it creates a phenomenal “Say No to Plastic Bags” all over Thailand. While it may cause inconvenience for customers or cause many obstacles, every company pleased to cooperate with the government sector and finding a good option for customers. The most important thing is the cooperation from Thai people, foreigners and thanks to everyone who has continually adapted to use cloth bags, baskets, Pinto, or carts for shopping at markets and various stores until getting used to and become habitual as well as disseminating to people near you to follow. Although some people are still not familiar with carrying cloth bags, there is an attempt to follow. Because they understand the environmental problems and would like to help conserve natural resources and environment to remain for future generations.