On October 20, 2025, Mr. Kosol Satithamajit, Consul-General of Thailand in Fukuoka, participated as a panelist in a discussion on tackling marine plastic pollution during the World Ocean Plastic Planning Center Symposium in Saga. The discussion, chaired by the Governor of Saga Prefecture, featured the Consul-General of India in Fukuoka and a representative from the Embassy of Finland in Japan. The symposium drew over 120 participants from Japan and abroad, representing government and private sector, academia, civil society, media, and relevant international organizations.

During the panel discussion, the Consul-General underscored Thailand’s ongoing challenges and strong commitment to preventing and addressing marine plastic waste comprehensively across the entire cycle, with a view to achieving sustainable solutions. He emphasized Thailand’s active role in supporting the development of a legally binding instrument and mechanism to combat this global issue, both under the framework of the United Nations and within ASEAN through the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris. Furthermore, the Consul-General highlighted the importance of collective collaboration across all sectors in fostering a “Zero Waste” culture from the source, promoting the active engagement of plastic producers through the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and ensuring effective law enforcement by public authorities.

Earlier that morning, the Consul-General joined symposium participants and the World Ocean Plastic Planning Center in a beach cleanup activity at Cape Hado in Karatsu City, a coastal area where marine debris is frequently carried ashore by winds and ocean currents. The activity took place at the site where Saga Prefecture is constructing the World Ocean Plastic Planning Center or PLAPLA, which is scheduled to open in June 2026. Once completed, this facility will serve as both a learning center for marine debris issues and a platform for driving international cooperation.