On 8 June 2025, Koh Tao in Surat Thani Province became the centre stage of Thailand’s Largest Beach & Underwater Cleanup for World Oceans Day 2025. The event brought together stakeholders from government, private sectors, civil society, and local communities with one shared goal: to raise awareness of marine litter and take action toward sustainable waste solutions.
Led by the MA-RE-DESIGN Project, the full-day event featured both beach and underwater cleanup activities and hosted an in-depth dialogue under the theme “Island Waste Solutions.” The forum welcomed esteemed representatives from multiple key partners, including the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), Department of Provincial Administration, Koh Tao Tourism Association, Koh Tao Municipality, Koh Tao headmen, SSI, PADI, Ban Koh Tao School, Koh Tao businesses and communities, and dive shops.
This milestone event drew over 600 participants who dedicated their time and energy to remove more than 1.8 tons of waste from both beach and underwater areas — a powerful testament to collective action for environmental stewardship.
More than just a symbolic celebration, the initiative emphasised the importance of inclusive participation from local communities, youth, and businesses in marine conservation. It also served as a platform for knowledge sharing and cross-sector collaboration, reinforcing the urgent need for systematic and sustainable marine waste management that aligns with local contexts.
The objective of this initiative was clear to strengthen public awareness of marine litter and its environmental impacts, while fostering long-term cooperation between public agencies, private sector partners, NGOs, and communities to conserve and protect Thailand’s marine ecosystems. World Oceans Day 2025 at Koh Tao is not just an event — it is a movement for change.
It highlights the transformative power of partnership and the possibility of a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient ocean future for all. Because the waste we leave today shapes the future of our oceans — and the change starts with each of us.
