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TOXIC FREE ASIA TOUR
The SV Rainbow Warrior Tour in Asia

AUDIO UPDATE
From The Rainbow Warrior in Thailand

Phuket : Poisons in Paradise

After an 8 day sail across the Bay of Bengal the Rainbow Warrior is continuing its work for a Toxic Free Asia. We sailed into the beautiful waters off the island of Phuket on the west coast of Thailand a few days ago. As a tourist paradise it is hard to imagine a more sublime place than this. We are in Thailand to highlight the toxic threat of dirty technology, like a new incinerator built in Phuket to burn the growing amounts of rubbish produced by the tourism industry.

On our first day we held a press conference for the Thai media and opened the ship up to local supporters and 1000 school kids.

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That night under the light of the full moon some brilliant Thai bands put on a rock concert. The audience of Phuket dignitaries and local environmental activists, fisher folk and local families were superbly entertained. The event capped off a day of positive environmental outreach to the people of Phuket. While all the fun was being had a few of us were burning the midnight oil for a very important action the next day.

A scientific study conducted by Greenpeace with samples taken from the incineration site confirm that high levels of toxic chemicals like lead, cadmium and copper as well as traces of the ultra toxic dioxin are emitted into the surrounding environment. Our mission was to alert the local community to the dangers of this technology by placing signs around the plant and the adjacent ash pit. Incineration does not solve the garbage problem and in fact transform it into a chemical menace which is much harder to deal with.

Locals scavenging in toxic incineration ash

Rummaging through the ash for recyclables is a direct risk. In the long term there is a real danger of these poisons finding their way into the island's food chain. Instead of buying toxic incineration technology the Thai government must put resources into waste prevention, composting, and recycling. On completion of our work in Phuket we set sail once again South towards Singapore. Our course took us past some of the most amazing natural scenery. Standing on the deck surrounded by all this natural beauty one can only be inspired to protect this amazing planet.

Feb 4 2000 - Greenpeace supports local groups against coal power stations