Bangkok-based international real estate developer, Country Group Development, in partnership with the Canadian Embassy of Thailand, joined the annual “Clean Up the World” initiative along the Chao Phraya River today.

Some 70 volunteers from both organizations, including Country Group Development’s CEO Ben Taechaubol and Her Excellency Donica Pottie from the Canadian Embassy of Thailand, helped clean up a stretch of the river close to company’s landmark residential urban resort project, Chao Phraya Estate.

“The Chao Phraya River has played a significant role as Thailand’s lifeblood throughout history, and the waterway holds a special place in the hearts of all Thai people as symbol of Bangkok,” said Mr. Taechaubol. “Now more than ever, it’s important that we help protect the River of Kings for future generations,” he added.

This year marks the 24th anniversary of the Clean Up the World campaign, which is held in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). To mark the event, Bangkok River Partners worked closely with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and several foreign embassies in the Thai capital to clean the streets, spruce up green spaces, and remove rubbish from the many canals that run into the Chao Phraya River.

For the first time, the organisers of the event also recorded data on the waste collected during the activities in order to work towards their long-term goal of totally eliminating river pollution. In collaboration with Wayne Phillips of Mahidol University and Madeleine Recknagel of Bangkok University, all the collected waste will be counted and categorised to establish a baseline for future comparison. This insightful hard data will then be used to create measurable goals and provide high-impact solutions.

“Being able to call Chao Phraya River home is a privilege, and one that we certainly don’t take for granted,” explained Mr. Taechaubol. “Everyone shares a responsibility not only for keeping the river clean, but also making it more beautiful than it was before. We look forward to collaborating with many more of these valuable environmental initiatives in the future.”