The significant growth rate in consumption of plastic has been occurred  all over the world  in recent years.  Many countries have been facing with the huge of garbage mountain that cause pollution, diseases to their population. This situation is a severe threat not only to our environment, ecosystems, health but also economies.

The amount of plastic garbage has been increasing every year. According to the research [1], It is estimated that plastic garbage around 1.15 –2.41 million tons / year are widely spread into the oceans. These huge of garbage is the main problem that make Pacific ocean to become “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”. (Figure 1)  Interesting data from Laurent et al.(2017) 's research also shows that most those plastic garbage came from the rivers in Asia. (Figure 2)

Figure 1 : Great Pacific Garbage Patch [2]

Figure 2:  River plastic emissions to the world’s oceans [1]

We have to admit that Thailand is also a top 10 countries that mismanaged plastic waste to the oceans. (Table 1) [3]  According to Thailand 's Pollution Control Department report [4], During the past 10 years, we create plastic waste averagely 2 million tons /year. 75% of these are single use plastic that never be in a circular economy management.    It can be pictured that if we put the plastic bag that Thai people throw away in 1 year to run on piece by piece, it will be equal to the distance that we can go back and forth the moon 7 rounds !!!

Since the beginning of this year , Over 90 companies in Thailand joined the government campaign “ Everyday Say No to Plastic Bags”  If we go to most of major supermarket chain stores in Thailand for example 7-11, Tops Supermarket, Big C, TescoLotus, Home Fresh Mart and so on, There are no longer to give customers single-use plastic bags. Government expects that in 2021, plastic bags will not be allowed at any shops

Figure 3  :  " Everyday Say No to Plastic Bag" Campaign [5]

Comparing to other countries (Figure 4)  attempting to halt the use of disposable plastic shopping bags by using law or taxes in place, Thailand just starts with Voluntary scheme. 

Map of lightweight plastic bag laws.

_ Ban _ Charge _ Voluntary charge agreement _ Partial charge or ban (municipal or regional

levels) _ No legal restrictions

Figure 4 : Map of lightweight plastic bag laws  [6]

In conclusion, "Better late that never". It is just a beginning of the episode for Thai people in order to change their consume behavior.  There are still a lot of challenge tasks for government and policy makers not only  increasing awareness, educating people to care about the environment but also  utilizing proper legislation and also advanced waste management technology.

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