A weak pulse and rapid heartbeat can lead to irregular coagulation, forming blood clots with the potential to travel to the brain or lungs, leading to loss of muscle movement, paralysis and death.

According to World Health Organisation, each year about 15 million people worldwide suffer from stroke. Approximately, 5 million of them die, and another 5 million remain disabled for life.

Col Preecha Uerojanaungkul, MD, head of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital, says that a stroke can be prevented in those who have a tendency to develop blood clots through the use of anticoagulant medications, namely warfarin, though it should be noted that dosage varies from person to person and such drugs must be used with caution.

Reactions to warfarin are affected by many factors including food containing high levels of vitamin K (green vegetables), exercise, alcohol consumption and medication non-compliance. It is thus vital that before prescribing the drug the physician is fully conversant with each patient’s daily routine and food consumption. For instance, do they normally eat a lot of vegetables? Are they taking dietary supplements and if so, which ones? Are they receiving other medications and which ones? This is important because some medicines and supplements can disturb the effectiveness of warfarin.

Even more essential is the careful monitoring of each patient. This is achieved by measuring International Normalised Ratio (INR) regularly, and at least every 4 weeks. If patients are very active and often change their diets – for example, adopting a vegetarian regime from time to time or running marathons – they may have to measure their INR level more often.

“Patients manage to maintain their INR at the targeted levels, because they regularly monitor their INR. Routine INR testing helps physicians adjust a patient’s warfarin dosage. This also helps reduce the risk of complications. If the INR is too low, there is a risk of stroke. If the INR is too high, there is a higher risk of haemorrhage,” Col Preecha says.

Patients can measure their INR themselves with a special testing device and consult their doctor should they see any variation to the normal target range.

A POWERFUL notebook computer that morphs into a tablet with just one flip, the Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 packs a powerful punch thanks to its Intel 8th Generation processor.

I got to try the Inspiron 7373, which is powered by Intel Core i7-8550U quad-core processor running at 1.8 GHz and installed with 8 gigabytes of working memory or DDR4 RAM and uses a fast 256 GB Solid State Drive. Intel UHD Graphics 620 provides the display adapter that shares the RAM for graphics memory. It runs on Windows 10 Home operating system.

The Inspiron 7373 comes with a beautiful 13-inch IPS touch-screen display in a thin bezel that allows you to work easily in bright light with 300 nit brightness. It has 1920-x-1080-pixel resolution, making the display very good for watching Full HD videos and viewing high-resolution photos. Another benefit is the professionally tuned speaker system, which adds to the overall viewing pleasure.

As part of its sleek design, the Inspiron 7373 comes with a versatile 360-degree hinge that allows the notebook to operate in laptop, tent, stand and tablet modes. In the tent mode, you fold back the display and have it rest on the outer edges of the display and keyboard. In the stand mode, the display is folded back and the keyboard faces down as a stand for the display.

The Inspiron 7373 comes in a thin and strong design. It is 15.5mm thick in the closed position and has a brushed aluminium chassis, making it light and highly portable.

You can also work with the Dell Active Pen though you’ll have to buy it separately.

The Inspiron 13 7373 has all the ports needed for every day computing. Located on its right side are one USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-CTM port supporting Display and Power Delivery, and a 3:1 SD Card Reader. On its left side, there’s a HDMI 2.0 port, one USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C and one USB 3.1 Gen 1 full-sized port with PowerShare. The port with the PowerShare feature is useful as you can charge your mobile phone or other portable device even when the notebook is turned off.

I was impressed by the 7373’s power during the test. The touch-screen was responsive and the scrolling of menus and app tiles on the home screen was smooth and fast. Applications like Microsoft Office performed with no problems and HD video clips played smoothly.

The Windows 10 set up enhances the features of the Inspiron 7373. The OS comes with Cortana, which is a voice-command personal assistant and the Waves MaxxAudio Pro that allows you to interact with Cortana clearly.

The Windows Ink technology lets you write in tablet mode with the active pen and the Continuum feature provides a seamless experience when converting from laptop to tablet modes.

And the Windows Hello faction recognition works well with the Inspiron 7373’s infrared camera so that you can log in with your face instead of having to type a password.

The Inspiron 7373 has a good battery life of about 8 hours.

Dell Inspiron 13 7373 2-in-1 laptop has a suggested retail price of Bt42,990.

Key Specs

– OS: Windows 10 Home Edition

– CPU: Intel Core i7-8550U Processor

– Memory: 8GB, DDR4, 2400MHz

– Storage: 256 GB SSD

– Display :13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Truelife LED-Backlit Narrow Border Touch Display – Supports Pen and Facial Recognition

– VGA: Intel UHD Graphics 620 with shared graphic memory

– Wireless connectivity: 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.2, Dual Band 2.4 & 5 GHz, 2×2

– Webcam : Infrared camera supports Windows Hello

– Ports & connectors : (1)USB3.1 Gen 1Type-C, (1) HDMI 2.0, SD Card (SD, SDHC, SDXC), Noble Lock (2) USB3.1 Gen 1(one with PowerShare

– Battery: 38WHr, 3-Cell Battery (Integrated) Quick Charge Enabled

– Dimensions: 309.6mm x 215.7mm x 15.51mm

– Weight: 1.45kg

THE POPULAR GoPro cameras continue to appeal with the Hero6 Black, just as deft as its predecessors at capturing top-quality fast-action video and photos, even underwater.

New in the Hero6 Black is a touch-screen user interface and the ability to take voice commands for improved convenience. It can also be wirelessly linked to a smartphone so you can use the phone as a viewfinder.

Effective stabilisation technology adds to the quality of videos and the camera is fully waterproof. You can dive underwater 10 metres with it and no for any special housing.

You’re good for 4K video, meaning the recordings really capture your adventures for posterity in startling detail and colour when viewed on a 4K UHD TV.

Full HD 1080p video is also doable at 240 frames per second, great for watching the action in stunning slow motion.

Photos are captured at 12-megapixel resolution and you can count on excellent low-light performance.

The Hero6 Black is compact, comfortably held it in one hand. There’s a mounting frame provided for attaching various kinds of mounts, two of which are in the package for cyclists’ and bikers’ crash helmets.

Other mounts include a head strap, chest harness, hand and wrist strap, dog harness, and a pro bike-seat-rail mount.

GPS is built in for recording the location where video and photos are shot, and an all-new GPI chip doubles this camera’s capability over its predecessor, the Hero5.

The touch-screen interface keeps control buttons to a minimum, since most controls are done on the touch-screen. There are only two buttons – the power button on the lower right and the shutter on top.

The power button doubles as a mode switch, flicking between video, single-shot photos, photo bursts and time-lapse photos.

The USB-C port is under the seal door on the left and the battery and microSD card are underneath.

Up front is a camera-status screen displaying current settings, including camera mode, number of files stored, video duration, remaining storage and battery status.

Controlling the camera with touch display gestures is easy. Tap to select an item or turn a setting on or off. Press and hold on the display to access exposure controls.

Swipe left to access advanced settings for current mode and swipe right to see thumbnails of your clips and photos. Swipe down to open the Connections and Preferences menus.

To use specific voice commands, tap the icon and bark away, prefixing each command with “GoPro” (except the command to add a highlight tag to a video during recording, in which case you say, “That was sick”).

Sample voice commands are “GoPro turn on” for powering up, and “GoPro start recording” and “GoPro take a photo” depending on whether you’re shooting video or stills.

Once mounted on a helmet, bike or car dashboard, you can use the GoPro app on your phone to adjust settings, start and stop recording and take photos.

The GoPro app invites along the QuickStories app, which automatically copies video and photos to your mobile device. Then the GoPro app prepares an edited video, complete with music and effects, in a “QuickStory” you can share with friends online. This can be saved, edited further or deleted.

With the GoPro app installed, swipe down on the home screen to automatically move content from your most recent session to your phone for QuickStories to edit. When the edited QuickStory is ready, you get a notification on the phone.

Videos can be shot in either Video or Looping mode. The first is traditional style, with 1080p 60 Wide, stabilisation and auto low light as the default settings. Resolution choices are 4K, 2.7K 4:3, 2.7K, 1440p, 1080p and 720p.

Looping allows you to continuously record a video, as is customary with dashboard cams. Choose an interval of five, 20, 60 or 120 minutes. If you select the 20-minute interval, the previous 20 minutes of video is saved when press “record”. If you don’t press “record”, the camera will record a fresh 20-minute interval over top of the previous 20 minutes.

For still photos, you have options of Photo, Night and Burst modes, each photo is captured at 12MP resolution.

Photo is for single shots, Burst for up to 30 photos in one second, and Night for dim light or darkness. For Night mode, a tripod is recommended, since the shutter remains open longer and you could otherwise get some shake.

Other options for still pictures are wide field of view and linear field of view. The first is the default setting, which results in a fish-eye look, especially around the edges of the scene. Linear FOV doesn’t have that effect, so it’s good for aerial shots and similar views with a more traditional perspective.

The Time Lapse function is available for videos and photos by day or night. You get to choose how long an interval between shots or frames, such as every half-second, and on video, no sound is recorded.

Lacking a bike mount, I held the Hero6 in one hand during a long walk. The video quality was sharp and not shaky at all and the stills equally good.

The GoPro Hero6 Black has a suggested retail price of Bt14,500.

Key Specs

– Maximum video resolution: 3,840×2,160 pixels at 60fps

– Photo resolution: 12MP

– Image recording format: JPEG, RAW

– Focus adjustment: Focus-free

– Navigation: GPS receiver

– Protection: Waterproof up to 10 metres

– Microphone: Stereo

– Camera display: Touch-screen LCD

– Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

– Dimensions: 44.6x62x32.7mm

– Weight: 117 grams

CHINA’S Fan Bingbing is one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, but she had to come to Thailand recently to sign up for another job – as global ambassador of the newly revamped shopping and entertainment complex King Power Rangnam.

“I’m delighted to have been invited to such a beautiful country,” the 36-year-old actress-TV producer-pop singer told the press. “I’ve been here many times, either for film shoots or family holidays, but any time I need to relax, Thailand is always the first country that comes to mind.”

Calling King Power “a shopping heaven”, she said she’d participated in making a TV commercial promoting the complex and had again been enjoying Thai food and sightseeing.

“King Power is also very popular in China, and I want to help it become even more popular and attract tourists to come shopping in Thailand.”

Shopping, Fan said, is a way to reward oneself for working hard work and also relieve stress.

“I usually buy body lotion, lipstick and face masks at the duty-free shop,” she added. “During the commercial shoot, I was given coconut oil to try and it was really good for my skin.”

Fan found fame across Asia in the 1998-99 TV series “My Fair Princess”. In 2003 she starred in “Cell Phone”, which became the highest-grossing Chinese film of the year and received critical acclaim.

Her other movie roles have included “Lost in Beijing” (2007), “Buddha Mountain” (2011), “Double Xposure” (2012) and “I Am Not Madame Bovary” (2016), the last earning her awards at the Golden Horse Film Festival, Asian Film Awards and Tokyo and San Sebastian film festivals.

She’s also appeared in foreign-language pictures including “Stretch” (France, 2011), “My Way” (South Korea, 2011) and the 2014 Hollywood blockbuster “X-Men: Days of Future Past”.

Since 2013 she’s been cited as the highest-paid star on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list and was in the top 10 in the seven years prior to that. Her many appearances on red carpets and in fashion shows have also made her a global fashion icon.

In December, Fan signed on for director Cao Baoping’s upcoming crime thriller, in which she’ll again co-star with Huang Xuan.

“It’s the second mystery thriller in Cao Baoping’s ‘Burning Hearts’ series. I was in the first one with Huang Xuan, who’s a very good actor and who shared his experience with me.”

Joining Fan at the blue-carpet opening of King Power Rangnam were Thai celebrities Jesdaporn “Tik” Pholdee, Preechaya “Ice” Pongthananikorn, Thanapop “Tor” Leeluttanakajorn, Ratchawin “Koy” Wongviriya, Chantavit “Ter” Dhanasevi, Napat “Gun” Injaiuea, Suteewan “Baitoey” Taveesin, Nathaphon “Taew” Temirak, Mario Maurer, Pakorn “Boy” Chatborirak, Matthew Brag, Praya “Pu” Lundberg, Nawat “Pong” Kulrattanarak, Ornjira “Pang” Lamwilai, Treechada “Poy” Petcharat, Kanyawee “Tanerng” Songmuang and Chanon Santinatornkul.

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak presided at the event, which also featured a performance by British outfit Spirit of Travel, which specialises in acrobatic flying balloons, plus a traditional Thai shadow play, a theatrical presentation by choreographer Sutheesak “Joe” Bhakdidheva, a fashion show and mini-concerts by Bodyslam and Thaitanium.

Occupying 22,000 square metres, King Power Rangnam represents a Bt2.5-billion investment and a “one-stop shopping destination for every need”. It has luxury beauty products, watches and sunglasses, souvenirs, Otop goods, street food and internationally known restaurants, as well as areas for meetings and other events.

“The reopening of King Power Rangnam heralds a new era in Thailand’s duty-free business,” said King Power Group chief executive Aiyawatt Sriwaddhanaprabha.

“King Power Rangnam will undoubtedly become Thailand’s and Bangkok’s newest landmark, catering to both local and foreign guests. It will help boost the country’s economy and positive image.”

Find out more with a call to the contact centre at 1631.

The DrivePro 130 vehicle-dashboard camera from Transcend Information Inc captures high-resolution images with extremely fine tonal gradation, even in low light. A G-sensor high-capacity Li-polymer battery, Sony image sensor and capability to record 1080p Full HD video make it a winner. Wi-Fi connectivity is ready via the free |DrivePro App. It retails for Bt4,300.

Print more, save more

The DCP-T510W, part of Brother’s inkjet Multi-Function Centre series, is designed to save money for high-volume users. It features the Refill Tank System and the cartridges are highly affordable. You get an ultra-high |6,500-page-yield and print resolution of 1,200×6,000dpi. It’s in stores for Bt5,490.

Always great portraits

The A83 camera phone from Oppo boasts AI Beauty Recognition Technology in its 8MP front camera and 13MP rear camera. The technology analyses 200 points on your subject’s face and figures out the best characteristics. With a 5.7-inch HD full-screen display at 1,440x720P resolution, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of ROM, it sells for Bt7,990.

Just the buds

Samsung’s Gear IconX earbuds let you leave your phone at home when go out running. They work as stand-alone media players when you upload music from your phone. You can also create a playlist of general favourites and another just for the gym. And if you do need your phone nearby, it connects via Bluetooth. The going rate is Bt5,900.

A Bt3,000 smartphone

Beyond Max2 is an affordable smartphone from Thailand’s PTE Intergroup that features dual cameras of eight- and two-megapixel resolution, handy bokeh effect, a five-inch display ay 960×540-pixel resolution, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of ROM. It runs on Android 6.0 OS and it is powered by a quad-core processor. |Go “Beyond” for Bt2,490.

WITH shelves groaning under bumper boxes of chocolates tied with red ribbons and teddy bears dressed in cute tees emblazoned with corny messages, you’d have to be a total Philistine not to notice that Valentine’s Day is once again just around the corner.

Thailand has long celebrated not just the day but the entire month of love with guys and gals trying to outdo each other in the “saying I love you” stakes by picking the freshest and deepest of red roses to woo their sweethearts.

With Valentine’s Day falling on a Wednesday this year and narrowly avoiding clashing with Chinese New Year, which is celebrated two days later, many restaurants and hotels are getting a jump on this upcoming festival of love by offering special loving menus and events.

And how better to celebrate the holiday of love than by signing up for an all-inclusive dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River and taking in some of the most important historical landmarks of the Kingdom? They include Wat Kanlaya Namithda, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters, the Royal Barges Museum, Rama VIII Bridge, Tha Maharaj, Tha Chang, Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha Temple), and Wat Pho.

The Peninsula Bangkok, one of the luxury five-star hotels along the river, is once again going the extra mile on Valentine’s Day, moving from the giddy heights of last year’s helicopter rides to the water with a cruise on a luxury yacht.

The afternoon Champagne Valentine’s Day Cruise offers an idyllic voyage on a 76-foot luxury yacht along the Chao Phraya River paired with the essential ingredients of true love – chilled champagne and personally inscribed Peninsula chocolates. On-board the custom-designed yacht, couples will enjoy luxurious amenities, including air conditioning, private bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and bespoke lighting including a fibre-optic overhead “Star” panel.

After the fairy-tale river journey through the picturesque heart of the Thai capital, loving twosomes will enjoy a Valentine’s Afternoon Tea in The Lobby. Delectable sweet delights are a timeless recipe for love, and the three-tiered silver tea tray features an irresistible array of chocolate pastries, pralines and desserts. Handcrafted by French executive pastry chef Nicolas Pelloie, some of the mouth-watering delights are made with a bespoke chocolate blend exclusively produced for the hotel by French premium brand Valrhona. Others take their cue from romance, among them a red velvet cake, hand-made lychee marshmallows and a strawberry rose tart. Other goodies include more traditional items as cucumber and mint finger sandwiches, English mustard and cooked ham on white toast and home-made smoked salmon on pumpernickel. Pelloie will also present home-made Brioche with fresh strawberries, mixed berry coulis and whipped cream tableside as a surprise treat.

For one lucky couple, an especially enchanting Valentine’s Day experience awaits. The Luxe & Amour Champagne Sunset Cruise is a sensual private voyage for two to watch the spectacular Bangkok sunset transform day into night over the river. After sipping champagne at sundown on a luxury yacht, the lovers can gaze into each other’s eyes over an exquisite six-course dinner created by executive chef Dominique Martinez and executive sous chef Alvaro Roa at Paribatra. Located on the 37th floor of the hotel, this beautiful lounge offers spellbinding views of Bangkok’s skyline and a spectacular fireworks show above the river.

These limited edition Valentine’s experiences are exclusive to The Peninsula Bangkok, and the happy couples will be among the first guests to enjoy a luxury Chao Phraya cruise. Private yacht cruises are extremely rare on Bangkok’s waterways, and this dream voyage of discovery enables couples to spend precious time together.

The formative roots of Thai culture and history can be traced along the banks of Bangkok’s River of Kings, and for centuries it has played a symbolic role in bringing people together and forging lifelong bonds of friendship and harmony. Locals have made the riverside their home since ancient times and created their livelihoods and lifestyles from its landscapes, while many of Thailand’s most vibrant festivals were established here. For these reasons, the Chao Phraya and its picturesque landmarks evoke treasured memories of community, kinship and love for people throughout Thailand.

The 80-minute Luxe & Amour Champagne Valentine’s Day Cruise, followed by a Valentine’s-inspired Peninsula Afternoon Tea at The Lobby, is priced at Bt25,888 net per couple.

The 80-minute Luxe & Amour Champagne Valentine’s Day Cruise, followed by international buffet dinner at River Cafe & Terrace, is priced at Bt30,888 net per couple.

The private Luxe & Amour Champagne Sunset Cruise, followed by a six-course dinner at Paribatra lounge, is priced at Bt88,888 net per couple and Bt188,888 net per couple with firework display.

– For reservations, call (02) 020 2888 or e-mail pbk@peninsula.com

– Find out more at http://www.Peninsula.com/bangkok.

– For more Valentine dinner cruises, please visit http://www.ThaiRiverCruise.com.

The recent signing of MOU with Khon Kaen University led to positive feedback and the service was launchedin December.

“The response has been beyond expectations, with thousands of transactions a day, which is very high compared to other universities. Having the ofo service at KhonKaen University doesn’t only help create a Bike Sharing Society, but is also making cycling more popular,” says Noppol Toochinda, ofo Thailand’s general manager.

“Our free-of-charge trial ended at the end of January and from now on we will charge a service fee of Bt5 per 30 minutes, easily paid by a debit account or TrueMoney wallet account,” he adds.

“This cooperation with ofo aims to encourage riding bicycles around the university to raise environmental awareness, help students and staff lead a healthier life and reduce the risk of accidents. This is a good choice for safe, economic and eco-friendly transportation in the campus,” says Assoc Prof Dr Kittichai Triratanasirichai, President of Khon Kaen University.

Recently, ofo and Khon Kaen University held an activity “Pan Plook Pa “(“Ride to Plant”), for which administrators, teachers and students cycled from from Si Than Community to the west side of Bung Si Than Reservoir to plant 200 trees.

Based on more than 140 million reviews, this year 549,937 properties in 218 countries and territories are being given an award. The countries receiving the most awards are Italy (81,603), France (33,500), the United States (30,502), Spain (29,598), and Germany (25,969).

For the first time, apartments take the lead from hotels as the top-awarded accommodation type, making up 30 per cent of the award-winning properties in 2017. In fact, four out of five of the top-awarded accommodation types are something other than a traditional hotel: Apartments (165,876), Hotels (132,339), Guesthouses (63,697), Bed and breakfasts (55,833), and Holiday Homes (29,634).

This continuing consumer interest in unique accommodation experiences is echoed by recent research that Booking.com conducted with 19,000 travellers across 26 countries, where one in three (33 per cent) said that they would prefer to stay in a holiday rental over a hotel in 2018. In addition, one in five (21 per cent) said that they would consider listing their own home on a travel accommodation site over the coming year. With 40 per cent of travellers also wanting to stay in an accommodation type they’ve never experienced before in 2018, consumer demand and interest in a diverse range of accommodation options remains strong.

In Thailand, 7,116 properties received an award, and the overall average guest review score was 8.6. All types of properties were awarded and globally, Thailand ranked at No 16 – up two spots from 2016 when it ranked No 18 with 4,427 properties awarded. In addition, 19 properties achieved a perfect 10 score and ranked at No 37 globally, demonstrating their dedication to offering an unforgettable stay.

A selection of outstanding properties in Thailand receiving the 2017 awards are Tropical Season Villa Resort (Mae Nam Beach, Koh Samui), Aster 9 House (Bangkok), Sawasdee Sukhothai Resort (Sukhothai), Pakping Hostel (Chiang Mai), Uncle Loy’s Boutique House (Bangkok), Six Senses Yao Noi (Koh Yao Noi, Phang-nga), Villa Labaron (Bangrak Beach, Koh Samui), Layana Resort & Spa (Adults Only, Koh Lanta), Pimalai Resort & Spa (Koh Lanta), and The Okura Prestige Bangkok (Bangkok).

“The more than 140 million reviews available on Booking.com are all real experiences shared by real customers. They not only help travellers to discover the stay that’s just right for them, but they also empower accommodation providers with real-time feedback that can truly have a positive impact on their business,” said Peter Verhoeven, global director of Partner Services at Booking.com. “With these awards, we congratulate, thank and honour a unique set of real hospitality heroes – our partners – who dedicate themselves to creating incredible guest experiences and cherished travel memories for travellers each and every day.”

The panel is led by Richard Barrow, who also serves as adviser to the project. Barrow has lived in Thailand for 23 years and is known for his blogs and advice on travel. He spends a lot of time on Twitter, posting ideas of where to visit in Thailand mixed with topical breaking news headlines. He can be read in Thai on @RichardinThai and English on @RichardBarrow.

Luc Citrinot is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with more than 20 years’ experience. He has been the aviation editor for France’s leading business travel publication Voyages d’Affaires since 1989 and is managing editor for the online B2B publication ASEAN.travel. He relocated to Asia in 2003 to work as a business development consultant for AirAsia and Thai AirAsia and has since returned to journalism, writing about tourism, air transport, culture, architecture and heritage.

Jamlong Boonsong is a Thai documentary photographer with the Post Today newspaper and the current chairman of the ASEAN Tourism Reporters Club, in addition to working as an independent travel columnist and professional photographer.

Tom Racette is a writer and editor with more than two decades experience working in Thailand’s travel industry. The former chief marketing officer at HotelTravel, he has also worked with Accor Asia Pacific, PATA Compass magazine, Travel Trade Gazette Asia (TTG Asia).

The judging panel will be chaired by a representative from the TAT. All the judges will also be joining the winning trip, from May 28 to June 1, to experience the “Colours of the East” on offer in the provinces of Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

 The initiative follows on from the success of the “Upcycling the Oceans, Thailand” project in Koh Samet and the Eastern Seaboard.

The project’s opening ceremony was presided over by Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat at Patong Beach in Phuket and saw celebrities and volunteers cleaning the coastline of the Andaman Sea along Patong, Nai Harn, and Nai Yang beaches.

As Thailand’s largest island, Phuket boasts verdant jungle that rolls on to hundreds of kilometres of coastline with a large number of dive sites making it the perfect next stop for the project.

Interested divers are encouraged to take part by following just three easy steps: First, they need to inform a participating dive operator that they would like to join the project. The dive operator will then give them a special rubbish collection bag. Second, divers collect rubbish while enjoying their dive, and return the bag to receive a stamp on their “Diving Passport”. Third, they can use the stamp to redeem special discounts on their next dive trip with a participating dive operator.

During their dive, participating divers are encouraged to practice their buoyancy control while also being careful to maintain the fragile ecosystem they are helping to protect; for example, when removing fishing nets from coral, it is best to use scissors to carefully trim the net and not pull it in such a way that will cause the coral to break.

For more information and for a list of participating dive operators, visit http://www.UtoDive.com.