"I collect garbage on Rawai Beach every morning for more than 2 years since I moved to this house. I start from the front of my house to a small restaurant at the corner of road. If any place I go is so dirty or full of garbage I will clean it. I've collected garbage in U.S.A. and Thailand. I think, I have to do something to clean "my home"." Mr.Tom Rice was born in Port Gamble, Washington, America. He loves the sea so he made the decision to live near the sea where he can listen to waves and breathe fresh air for relaxing and peace that is different from ordinary foreigners who love water activities such as swimming or diving.

In America, he was a bridge controller. Before he retired, he traveled around the world to more than 40 countries. He has been to the Philippines, Mexico and Senegal. Finally, he made the decision to settle down in Phuket. His old friend helped him to find his house. He got a house near Rawai Beach. Mr. Tom visited Phuket for more than 15 years. He can speak some Thai words but cannot understand Thai language.

"I live in Thailand because I like Thai people. Thai people are so kind. They like to help other people. Thai food is so delicious, especially Tom Kha Khai."

Actually, Mr. Tom likes to walk on the beach for exercise in the morning. He found that the beach was full of garbage. Garbage spoils the beauty of the scenery. He collects garbage to keep the beach clean alone, never asking for any help.

"Each day, I collect garbage of nearly half a big black plastic bag or 10 - 15 kilograms. Some day it is so heavy that it is more than I can carry. I have found brand name tennis shoes, 2 mobile phones: one is out of order, another one is avaiiable until now."

He starts to collect garbage from 6 to 8 in the morning when the day is not too hot. After his mission, he goes back home to take a shower, have breakfast, read a book, watch television and work. Mr. Tom is a sea-shell collector, especially rare shells from around the world. He is "also the publisher of "Of Sea and Shore" for shell lovers with some Thai friends who love to do the same thing.

"Most garbage I find is plastic bags, cigarette cases and cans. I do not find plastic bottles much because sea gypsies at Rawai Beach keep them for selling. On Monday morning, Rawai Beach has more garbage than every other day because Sunday is a holiday. Tourists and local Phuket people like to have a picnic with family, and eat their food on the beach. Some of garbage I collect I leave in a blue bin in front of my house then the garbage keeper could use them. I do reuse some of the garbage and keep some of my home garbage for a sea gypsy mother and child who always pass my house every day, so that they can sell or use them.

"Many people who see me might be curious as to why I collect garbage at the beach but nobody asks me There are only fishermen or fishermen who do squid fishing who have told me "very good" and "Thank you" or something like that."

Mr. Tom thinks why not do cleaning the beach and exercise at the same time. He can also spend time in the morning to be by himself to think what to do in each day. He thinks that he should be a good example for people who see him. He wants other people to realize that everyone can help society just by cleaning our area such as in front of our house or the road near our house.

"I think, too much garbage is a big problem in the world. Westerners and Singaporeans who visit Thailand for the first time might not be impressed if they see this problem because their countries solve this problem very well. When we walk on a beach or beside of roads in Phuket we find so much garbage there. In America you would be sentenced if you drop garbage in the wrong place or made the road so dirty. You have to pay a fine of 100 US dollar or approximately 4,000 baht. Police will pursue the car where people have dropped garbage with siren similar as they pursue the car that break the inspection station."

"One time during the Christmas period there is so much garbage on the beach. I felt tired. I stopped cleaning the beach for 4 or 5 days because I thought the garbage was too much for me. Truly, I thought nobody cared about the garbage problem. They had many things to think of such as Internet etc. They just did not have time to collect garbage."

Because of the difference of culture, living or attitude, Mr. Tom has some disagreements with what he saw in Thailand. We told Mr. Tom that "This is Thailand".

"I was shocked with the traffic in Phuket because people drive like there are no traffic rules. They would overtake without indicating, especially motorcycles. At first I was scared to drive in Phuket. I asked my Thai friend to drive for me. Now, I am used to this. If you drive like this in America, you might receive at least 5 police summons and 500 US dollar fine."

Mr. Tom thought that when people saw garbage ail over the area they think that people around there are selfish and not neat it is a general problem. Actually, there are few people who did that. He is committed to collecting garbage until he cannot walk. Now, his health and mind are strong enough to wake up in the morning to collect garbage from the beach.

"I think Phuket needs a better environment management plan than this. Government has to be more responsible. Rawai always has water supply problems. There is more housing development villages everyday. We do not have enough water supplies. Now, I have to buy water, sometime I use rain water because I do not have enough water supplies."

Mr. Tom would like to say something to Phuket... "I would like Phuket people to realize the importance of the garbage problem. I would like everybody to help each other to take care of this problem; dispose of garbage in the correct places, and decrease the garbage in the environment. You are fully responsible for your own area. You do not need to do it everyday. If you do only this, you could decrease garbage problem."

The garbage problem is a big problem in many countries around the world but it depends on the way the problem is managed in each country. As a resident of Thailand, we should realize this problem. In another few years, we could not avoid living with garbage all over Phuket if we could not stop being so selfish and did not value recycling or reusing products. Please do not let foreigners have to collect garbage in front of our house. How pitiful our city is!
We should be ashamed!

Originally this article appeared in
The Phuket Bulletin ( Vol.5, No.5, May 2006)

Column title: small but big
Story by Pana Hararak
Photos by Paradee Srinun