Phuket's Flooded by Inadequate Infrastructure Amid Rapid Growth

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Phuket's rapid urbanisation clashes with underdeveloped infrastructure, unmasking the island’s dire challenges. Recent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding highlight the urgency for crucial upgrades and the consequences of insufficient government budgeting.

 

Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, President of the Phuket Tourist Association, voiced serious concerns. Despite Phuket attracting 60% first-time tourists, many could be deterred by inconveniences stemming from inadequate infrastructure.

 

Severe weekend storms inundated key areas, such as Thep Krasattri Road, disrupting travel and causing flight diversions. While hotel areas remained relatively untouched, the underlying issues are inescapable.

 

New planning laws allowing property development above 140 meters elevate fears around natural drainage disruption and potential landslides. Thaneth cautioned that these developments might exacerbate future flooding incidents, urging local authorities to rigorously assess environmental impacts before proceeding with projects.

 

The island's budget woes further compound its problems. Phuket receives an annual allocation of 170 million baht—a paltry sum compared to major tourist destinations like Bangkok and Pattaya, each enjoying over a billion baht. Thaneth stressed that even basic water management and drainage systems require at least a billion baht, underlining the disparity and its debilitating impact.

 

Prominent projects remain stagnant despite frequent visits from the Thai prime minister. Vital upgrades like the Patong Tunnel, additional main roads, a new motorway, and a public train system have yet to materialise. Thaneth underlined the importance of robust public infrastructure in leaving a positive, lasting impression on tourists, calling it essential for long-term competitiveness.

 

"Public infrastructure, like airports and roads, form tourists' first impressions. Convenience ensues long-term competitiveness," he stressed.

 

While Phuket anticipates a full recovery with over 400 billion baht in tourism revenue this year, driven by high expenditures and prolonged stays from visitors, the current challenges cannot be ignored. Key markets like Russia, China, and India continue to bolster the island's tourism, but addressing the infrastructural gaps is imperative for sustaining growth.

 

File photo courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-07-03

 

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[JoePai]

Not just Phuket - what about Pattaya 

[ikke1959]

Excellent water management of Thailand.. Every year the same problems and zero solutions.... Attrack tourists ,Phuket, by advertising that the hotels are in the swimmingpools...Soft power works maybe better than Lisa...

[CharlieH]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Excellent water management of Thailand.. Every year the same problems and zero solutions.... Attrack tourists ,Phuket, by advertising that the hotels are in the swimmingpools...Soft power works maybe better than Lisa...

Probably why they want a SUBMARINE !

[Peterphuket]

There is nothing new under the sun, 25 years ago these phenomena were already there on Phuket.
But it is bound to get worse when you look at all this clearcutting on the mountains resulting in water getting free rein everywhere.
But Thais and solutions.....pppffff.

[hotchilli]

Build with gay abandon, cover everything in concrete.... where's the water going to go?

Real infrastructure planning is non-existent.

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Probably why they want a SUBMARINE !

But Thailand already has frigates that go under water.

[BritScot]

Get the budget, budget disappears mysteriously or stolen by ghosts, then forget. Oh flooding again, horror, oh no, more budget and repeat.

[DonniePeverley]

Ecologically mass tourism, and mass increase in urban development on a 'island' is a recipe for disaster. 

 

The flood may well have had adequate drainage from the landscape before being removed.