On September 5, 2024, the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), organized a workshop on plastic waste surveys in water sources. The event was opened with speeches by Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Memon, a representative of UNEP, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Krissada Asavaskulkeit, Deputy Dean for Academic Services and Policy Advocacy, Faculty of Engineering, at the Kalanan Riverside Resort Hotel, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province.

The workshop featured lectures by Asst. Prof. Dr. Achara Ussawarujikulchai and Dr. Narin Boontanon, who shared their expertise on methods for surveying plastic waste in water sources. The training covered techniques for collecting plastic waste and microplastics, tools and equipment used for this purpose, and data recording and analysis. Participants also learned how to analyze microplastics from water sources. A highlight of the event was a boat trip on the Chao Phraya River, where participants observed a demonstration of plastic waste collection using a Tow Net.

This workshop was part of the "Strengthening Plastic Pollution Management in Asia and the Pacific" project, led by Prof. Chettiyappan Visvanathan, Lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The project aims to manage plastic waste in rivers before it reaches the ocean. The Tow Net demonstration provided an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, enhance skills, and apply them to effectively survey and collect data on plastic waste in water sources.