Phuket, Thailand November, 2008 - As part of our Environmental Education and Solutions Project for 2008, we are encouraging resorts on Mai Khao Beach, the local community and the general public to join us to save energy for just one or two hours. This project was inspired by Sydney's Earth Hour Project that took place about 2 years ago where the entire city turned off their lights for just one hour in an effort to assist in reducing Global Warming. We would like to try to achieve a similar goal on Mai Khao Beach.

The event will take place on Wednesday the 17th of December 2008 from 17.30 onwards. The Foundation is encouraging resorts such as JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Marriott Vacation Club Asia-Pacific, Anantara Phuket, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa and West-Sands to prepare picnic baskets for their guests to order and enjoy on the beach in front of their resorts. The local community comprising of 6 villages and 5 schools are being encouraged to bring their picnic baskets and come along with their families to enjoy a local sunset picnic dinner on Mai Khao Beach in village number 4 (Moo 4).

Long ago, it was the tradition of the villagers to go on "Marine Turtle Walks" with hope of seeing the giant Leatherback Turtles coming to nest on Mai Khao Beach. Since the Tsunami, these gentle giants have not returned. This sad fact has urged the local villagers along with other organizations concerned with turtles and the environment to join together in an effort to improve the natural surroundings with hope that the turtles will one day find this beach fit to return to and lay their eggs.

To join the picnic at the resorts, kindly make your reservation at least 1 week before the event. If you prefer something local, bring along your own basket to Mai Khao Beach between soi 7 and soi 8.

The Foundation will provide a free booklet in English and Thai with tips on how we can all help to reduce Global Warming. Together we can make a start!

For more information and reservations, please contact Ms. Michelle Mouillé, the Foundation's coordinator, at 081 893 6001 or info@maikhaoturtlefoundation.com.

The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation was launched in March 2002 during the grand opening celebrations of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa to raise funds and awareness of the endangered leatherback turtles which nest on the Mai Khao Beach. Over the recent years, the Foundation has broadened its environmental projects to not only conservation of the leatherback turtles but also the environment with the involvement of local communities, schools, universities and government organizations. Foundation activities include beach and reef cleaning, educational workshops, recycling projects, tree planting, turtle rescue/release and support of other marine conservation organizations.

Source: JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa release dated 17 November 2008