It’s monsoon season in Thailand, so as soon as the weather was favourable, we drove out to Asia Marina to meet with the captain of LTC-002, Captain Padol Innarong. As always, the marina was busy with tour groups heading out to any of the nearby island hotspots in the Phang Nga Bay.
Captain Ohm is already here, running final checks on the 100% recyclable coastal cleaner catamaran he will pilot for the full day. Satisfied with the boat’s condition, he invites us on board to start the first of many loops around the marina and the canal separating Koh Sirey from the main island.
As we are backing out of the boat’s dock, it is immediately apparent how important the catamaran is to helping keep the waters clean. There’s trash floating everywhere. Plastic bottles, glass bottles, slippers, wrappers, polystyrene packaging, cans, containers, plastic cutlery and so much more. There’s work to be done here.
Once we’re out in the water, Captain Ohm lowers the trash collection basket into the water, and we start talking. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/C07Ui4m00xQ, or carry on with the interview article below.
K Nueng – OFA Office Coordinator:
Can you introduce yourself and tell us how you became a captain for the Licence to Clean project?
Cpt. Ohm:
My name is Padol Innarong, but you can call me Ohm.
K Nueng:
What does a typical day look like for you when you’re out on the LTC collecting trash around Phuket?
Cpt. Ohm:
I start work at 9am, have a 1-hour lunch break and sort the trash before going home at 5pm.
K Nueng:
What are some of the biggest challenges you face while working?
Cpt. Ohm:
LTC-002 is a small boat, so on rainy and windy days, it can be difficult to keep steady.
K Nueng:
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
Cpt. Ohm:
The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing the community gradually become cleaner, while also seeing the increase in awareness of the advantages of maintaining cleanliness.
K Nueng:
How have you seen the efforts of the Licence to Clean project impact the local environment and community?
Cpt. Ohm:
When I look at Phuket, it is cleaner now than before. Although the LTC project is small at the moment, it will grow and be an important part of keeping Phuket clean for a long time to come.
K Nueng:
Are there any memorable moments or feedback you’ve received from the
community?
Cpt. Ohm:
We receive many compliments from the community here. They are impressed with how functional and useful the LTC catamaran is.
K Nueng:
What motivates you to do this work every day, and what message would you like to share with the public about the importance of keeping our oceans clean?
Cpt. Ohm:
I want to help keep Phuket clean, and keep it beautiful.
By now, the basket is full of all kinds of debris and trash we’ve collected just in the last 15 minutes of being on the water. With the average amount of trash collected every day – in excess of 600 litres equivalent to 1l plastic bottles and the community supporting the project, it’s apparent that LTC-002 is doing important work here.
LTC-002 is one of a series of coastal cleaner catamarans in operation in Thailand. LTC-001 operates on the western coast of Phuket, along the Kamala shoreline, LTC-003 in and around Ao Po Marina on the eastern coast, and LTC-004 operates along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.
Through the support of our partners Bluetree Phuket, Proud Group, AXA Insurance Thailand and Royal Phuket Marina, we’re able to greatly increase the cleanliness of the environments the LTC catamarans work in. There are more places that need the support of the Licence To Clean project, and with your support, we can build more catamarans, collect more trash and help preserve the marine ecosystem in Thailand.
If you’d like to make a donation, please visit our donation page. If you are a corporate, contact us to discuss a tailored partnership agreement that would benefit both your organisation and the environment.
