Garbage piling up in Phuket amid tourism revival

[webfact]

 

 

Phuket, Thailand’s premier tourist destination, is grappling with an increasing garbage problem as tourism rebounds post-pandemic. The island welcomed 11 million local and foreign visitors last year, double the number from two decades ago. However, this tourism surge has led to an alarming rise in waste.

 

Phuket's deputy governor, Norasak Suksomboon, disclosed that the daily garbage volume has surged to 1,100 tonnes, up from 742 tonnes in 2022 and 961 tonnes last year. This data, sourced from the provincial statistics office and Pollution Control Department, highlights a growing environmental concern.

 

Speaking at the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum, which brought together 150 global tourism leaders and policymakers, Mr. Norasak underlined the sustainability challenges the province faces. He appealed to residents and volunteers to assist in managing this mounting waste, particularly by recycling and composting.

Phuket, with a permanent resident population of 418,000 as of 2021, struggles to cope with the waste from both locals and an influx of external workers and tourists. The island's single incinerator, run by Phuket municipality, can handle only about 900 tonnes daily, forcing the remainder to be sent to various dumpsites. Alarmingly, only 10% of Phuket's trash is recycled, and 60% comprises organic waste.

 

Mr. Norasak urged residents to transform organic waste into compost or soil improvers, reducing the reliance on disposal facilities. He emphasised that community involvement is crucial to address this pressing issue.

 

Earlier this year, the municipality launched a "garbage bank" pilot project in Samakkee Samkong community, Muang district, aimed at recycling waste. If successful, this initiative will be expanded to other areas, offering a sustainable solution to the island’s growing waste problem.

 

As Phuket continues to attract tourists, the province must balance economic gains with environmental stewardship to ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future.

 

TOP: FILE photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-09-28

 

[impulse]

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

The island welcomed 11 million local and foreign visitors last year, double the number from two decades ago. However, this tourism surge has led to an alarming rise in waste.

 

Didn't see that coming...

 

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

this tourism surge has led to an alarming rise in waste.

 

Surprised? The whole country looks like a dump.

[drgoon]

'Premier Tourist Destination' 5555555

[watchcat]

6 minutes ago, drgoon said:

'Premier Tourist Destination' 5555555

 

Not any more.

[zepplin]

4 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Didn't see that coming...

 

At least they have an incinerator, the one on samui has been broken from neglect for the last 15 years, first idea was to hide it under big rubber tarps, now it’s trucked to the mainland costing 15 mill bht a month, someone is making a killing, and Samui has a water and electricity shortage, which will get a lot worse with the crazy rate of new developments here!

solar panels, rainwater tanks sho be compulsorily! But that’s too much clever thinking, no Hab  that here….

[Mywayboy]

Plenty of vacant blocks to dump garbage same same for decades.

Maybe silly idea what about building new garbage incinerator 555

[billd766]

One way to end the problem is to drastically cut back on tourism and spend the LOCAL governments money on improving the garbage disposal, the water and sewage facilities along with improving the electricity supplies.

 

If they as so short of money, then go to TAT and demand that they chip in to pay for it. Please do NOT go to the central government with your ever open begging bowl. It is a local problem, so spend local money to fix it.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s premier tourist destination, is grappling with an increasing garbage problem as tourism rebounds post-pandemic

That's no way to speak about tourists.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, drgoon said:

'Premier Tourist Destination' 5555555

Pre year 2000 maybe

[khunPer]

Infra structure is a general problem for becoming a "World class turist destination" – especially if Thailand also wish quality tourists to be included – and garbage is an extremely visual thing that Western foreigners instantly notice and dislike.

[portisaacozzy]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

 

 

Phuket, Thailand’s premier tourist destination, is grappling with an increasing garbage problem as tourism rebounds post-pandemic. The island welcomed 11 million local and foreign visitors last year, double the number from two decades ago. However, this tourism surge has led to an alarming rise in waste.

 

Phuket's deputy governor, Norasak Suksomboon, disclosed that the daily garbage volume has surged to 1,100 tonnes, up from 742 tonnes in 2022 and 961 tonnes last year. This data, sourced from the provincial statistics office and Pollution Control Department, highlights a growing environmental concern.

 

Speaking at the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum, which brought together 150 global tourism leaders and policymakers, Mr. Norasak underlined the sustainability challenges the province faces. He appealed to residents and volunteers to assist in managing this mounting waste, particularly by recycling and composting.

 

Phuket, with a permanent resident population of 418,000 as of 2021, struggles to cope with the waste from both locals and an influx of external workers and tourists. The island's single incinerator, run by Phuket municipality, can handle only about 900 tonnes daily, forcing the remainder to be sent to various dumpsites. Alarmingly, only 10% of Phuket's trash is recycled, and 60% comprises organic waste.

 

Mr. Norasak urged residents to transform organic waste into compost or soil improvers, reducing the reliance on disposal facilities. He emphasised that community involvement is crucial to address this pressing issue.

 

Earlier this year, the municipality launched a "garbage bank" pilot project in Samakkee Samkong community, Muang district, aimed at recycling waste. If successful, this initiative will be expanded to other areas, offering a sustainable solution to the island’s growing waste problem.

 

As Phuket continues to attract tourists, the province must balance economic gains with environmental stewardship to ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future.

 

TOP: FILE photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-09-28

 

it does seem to attract garbage

[JimHuaHin]

Come on TAT ..... opportunity - "Visit Amazing Thailand Trash".

 

Or .... Thailand "Trash Hub".

[rumeaug]

Not just phuket. Thailand  in general.  Garbage bags right in the streets, the rot leaking out on the pavement under the simetimes scorching heat. That stench...medieval...Thailand, you need to wake the F**k up.

[OldmanJ]

Thailand has a big problem with it's rubbish,the government are only creating a bigger problem because when was the last time you saw a rubbish bin or a refuse tip somewhere.Wake up Thai government and care for the people it's becoming disgusting rubbish nearly everywhere you look.

[phil2407]

Provide bins  recycling general waste & food waste 

[retarius]

Nice. I love to see overstaffed garbage bags when I am on an overly expensive vacation. 

[MalcolmB]

The floods over the past month have done a good job in washing much of the rubbish away.

 

Into the klongs.

 

Which ends up in the sea.

 

And then washed up on to the beaches. 

[kuma]

On 9/28/2024 at 3:48 PM, khunPer said:

Infra structure is a general problem for becoming a "World class turist destination" – especially if Thailand also wish quality tourists to be included – and garbage is an extremely visual thing that Western foreigners instantly notice and dislike.

Olfactory as well...which cannot be hidden really