On Mother’s Day (Aug 12) Layan Beach in Phuket became the focal point of a large-scale environmental effort as hundreds of volunteers gathered for the “United in Loyalty, Planting Beach Reforestation – BIG CLEANING DAY 10 Beautiful Beaches” event. Organized by the Andaman Resources Conservation Foundation, the drive combined shoreline cleansing with reforestation activities to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, while highlighting the community’s commitment to protecting the Andaman Sea.
The day brought together people from all walks of life — youth groups, students, local residents, business representatives and officials — all working side by side despite heavy weather. The coordinated action was one of several clean-ups across ten beaches in the region, underlining a regional push to strengthen community ties and secure coastal ecosystems for future generations.
Layan Beach Cleanup Honors Queen Mother on Mother’s Day
Layan Beach was transformed into a hub of environmental stewardship as volunteers collected marine debris, removed litter along the shoreline and helped restore a fragile coastal area within Sirinat National Park. The event was deliberately timed to coincide with Mother’s Day, serving as a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and acknowledging her longstanding patronage of conservation and community welfare initiatives.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Samran Sinthong, Secretary-General of the Andaman Resources Conservation Foundation, who highlighted the symbolic importance of the day. Organizers emphasized that the cleanup was not only an expression of loyalty to the monarchy but also an opportunity to bring public attention to sustainable coastal management.
Volunteers, Youth and Businesses Unite to Restore Shore
The operation drew representatives from local administrations, schools and the private sector, including the Cherng Talay Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor), Sirinat National Park staff, Phuket Wittayalai School and Anantara Layan Phuket Resort. Youth groups and students played a prominent role, contributing energy and numbers to ensure thorough coverage of the beach and surrounding areas.
Local businesses and networks also supported logistics and morale: the CP ALL network, which operates 7-Eleven stores, supplied snacks and drinks to keep volunteers refreshed. Despite inclement weather, participants pressed on with determination, demonstrating the strong spirit of community collaboration behind the conservation effort.
Planting 94 Fig Trees as Part of Long-Term Conservation
A highlight of the day was the planting of 94 fig trees along Layan Beach within Sirinat National Park, an action intended to help stabilise the shoreline, enhance habitat complexity and support the return of native flora and fauna. These plantings are part of a longer-term reforestation and beach rehabilitation strategy aimed at restoring the ecological richness of the coastline.
Organizers linked the activity to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, encouraging sustainable and appreciative use of natural resources as a foundation for community development. By combining immediate clean-up work with forward-looking restoration — and coordinating similar events across ten beaches — the Foundation sought to embed conservation practices into local culture and safeguard the Andaman Sea for generations to come.
The Layan Beach event on Mother’s Day was more than a one-day cleanup; it was a communal act of remembrance, resilience and responsibility. By honoring the Queen Mother through practical conservation work, the volunteers reinforced the idea that protecting Thailand’s coastal environments is both a civic duty and a heartfelt legacy for future mothers and children of the region.
