Surat Thani – PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), in collaboration with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), has begun placing the “Ocean For Life” underwater sculptures of art at Koh Tao, Surat Thani province. The initiative will create artificial reefs and a new diving site to help restore marine ecosystems, promote sustainable tourism and generate income for local communities. Divers will be able to visit the site from mid-April onwards.
Chayong Borisuitsawat, executive vice-president, Technology, Carbon Solutions and Sustainable Growth Group of PTTEP, together with Ukkrit Satapoomin, deputy director-general of DMCR, recently presided over the inaugural ceremony in Surat Thani.
The ceremony was attended by Klanarong Yutitham, vice-governor of Surat Thani; Apichart Meepien, mayor of Koh Tao; Ramleuk Asawachin, president of the Koh Tao Tourism Business Association; Assoc Prof Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, deputy dean for Special Affairs, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University; as well as experts, tourism operators and members of the local community.
“Ocean For Life” features nine sculptures of rare marine animals, including the giant manta ray, blue-spotted stingray, a sea turtle family, seahorse, whale shark, eagle ray, turtle arch, blacktip reef shark and bowmouth guitarfish (Ronan). Each sculpture is 2.5 metres high.
In addition, the project includes 93 artificial reef structures, consisting of newly-designed coral balls and dome-shaped artificial reefs, with an average height of 1–1.5 metres. All structures are made from durable materials specifically designed for artificial reefs, are resistant to seawater corrosion and are environmentally-friendly, providing a safe habitat for marine life.
The sculptures and reef structures will be placed at Buoyancy World, a well-known dive-training site at Koh Tao, located about 100 metres from the shoreline at a depth of approximately 16 metres, covering an area of more than 10,000 square metres. The first sculpture was placed on March 30.
