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Thai national park officials mail back trash as 'souvenirs' to tourists

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2020/10/01 15:38

Today's Vocabulary

1. litter (n)
small pieces of trash  that have been left lying on the ground in public places

2. admonish (v)
to tell someone that they have done something wrong

3. endanger (v)
to put someone or something at risk or in danger of being harmed, damaged, or destroyed

4. wildlife (n)
animals and plants that grow independently of people, usually in natural conditions 

5. perpetrators (n)
someone who has committed a crime or a violent or harmful act

6. threaten (v)
to tell someone that you will kill or hurt them or cause problems if they do not do what you want

7. filed (v) 
to officially record something, especially in a law court

8. widespread (adj)
existing or happening  in many places and/or among many people

Thai national park officials mail back trash as 'souvenirs' to tourists

Thai officials have taken their policies against widespread littering in public spaces to a whole new level.

Thai National Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa recently asked his team to mail back trash left behind by tourists camping in a National Park.

Silpa-archa wrote an angry Facebook post on Sept 15 admonishing those who left behind plastic bottles and food waste at the campsite, as it will greatly threaten and endanger the wildlife at Khao Yai National Park.

According to Thai-language media, Silpa-archa said as the trash left behind could kill wild animals in search of food.

Local officials have, therefore, collected all the waste in a box and will be sending the “souvenirs” back to the campers’ homes by using the perpetrators’ addresses recorded in the reservation system.

The action is meant to teach tourists a lesson to not litter again.

In addition, Silpa-archa revealed that police reports have also been filed as the campers have violated the National Park Act.

To ensure that the environment remains clean, Silpa-archa reminds visitors that legal action will be taken against offenders who leave behind unwanted items after their trip.

Silpa-archa added that only “footprints” are acceptable.

Resource: https://www.asianewsday.com/thai-national-park-officials-mail-back-trash-as-souvenirs-to-tourists/

Discussion
  1. What do you do with your litter?
  2. Why do people litter?
  3. What should the fine be for littering?

“Littering is a crime, but they are not enforcing the law. We need to educate the youths on why littering is bad and the effect litter has on neighbourhoods.”

Johnnise Downs

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