PTTEP and Kasetsart University, carry out a project to create baseline data and monitor microplastics. This includes analyzing microplastic volumes, identifying plastic types, and determining the specific plastic products detected. The project has been operational since October 2020, utilizing PTTEP offshore operational sites in the Gulf of Thailand as seawater sampling sites. Seawater samples are collected by trained PTTEP offshore staff. In addition, seawater samples are also collected at Chao Phraya River Estuary of Samut Prakarn Province, Chumphon Estuary of Chumphon Province, Koh Tao of Surat Thani Province, Koh Losin of Pattani Province, and to compare the results over 4 periods throughout the year.

Seawater samples were delivered to the Marine Debris Operations Unit, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, to measure the microplastic volume and analyze the plastic types, and identify the detected plastic products using the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR), which is a modern technology and certified by international standards.

PTTEP completed the microplastic baseline detected in the study areas in 2021 and subsequently conducted the monitoring program in 2023. Additional seawater samples were collected from PTTEP offshore operational area in the G1/61 Project and the Songkhla estuary. The study found that the Chao Phraya River Estuary of Samut Prakarn Province has the highest average microplastic volume, which is consistent with an assumption that there will be a higher microplastic volume in coastal areas near communities than offshore areas.

Furthermore, comparison of the 2023 monitoring results with the 2021 baseline data indicated a decreasing trend in microplastic volume across all study areas. Regarding microplastic type, net fragments were the predominant type detected in 2021, whereas clothing fibers were the most common type identified in 2023. These findings reflect variations in plastic waste sources across different locations and time periods. The knowledge generated from this study not only enhances the understanding of microplastic pollution in Thai marine environments but also provides valuable scientific evidence for identifying pollution sources, developing measures to reduce plastic leakage at the source, and strengthening marine debris management strategies.

PTTEP and Kasetsart University will continue long-term monitoring of microplastic and expand the study area to cover all PTTEP offshore petroleum production facilities. The data from its platform is the most distant microplastic data in Thailand and connected to the governmental and relevant agencies databases for the integration of ocean waste management (nearshore-mid shore-offshore), which will consequently lead to the concrete conservation of marine resources.