Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Navy and the civil sector recently, under which they will cooperate in constructing artificial reefs from decommissioned battleships.

Thai Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk presided over the signing ceremony of the MoU aimed at creating artificial reefs to help conserve and restore marine resources off the coasts of three provinces, namely Krabi, Rayong, and Chonburi. The artificial reefs, to be made of unused warships, will also become new tourist attractions and underwater learning centers.

The MoU involves cooperation from many Thai agencies such as the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the Naval Civil Affairs Department, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and EnLive Foundation.

The minister said the project will help reduce the number of divers visiting natural coral reef areas, thus alleviating damages to the marine resources that are caused by tourists. He said the most important point of all is to raise awareness of the importance of natural marine resources, particularly among tourists and related entrepreneurs.-VNA