Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Phuket's governor, Sophon Suwannarat, has called for the island to be upgraded to a special administrative area to address its critical infrastructure and environmental challenges. With pressing issues like clean water shortages, inadequate wastewater management, and rubbish disposal plaguing the province, urgent action is needed.

 

Currently, Phuket is struggling with a limited budget of approximately 170 million Thai Baht, hampering large-scale improvements. Governor Sophon believes that special administrative status, as proposed by MP Somchart Techathavorncharoen, could unlock the resources necessary for vital infrastructure projects. These projects include the much-anticipated Kathu-Patong expressway, set to become operational by 2030.

 

Clean water access is a significant concern for the island. Plans are underway to purchase water from defunct mining pits and construct a long-distance pipeline from Ratchaprapha Dam in Surat Thani. This initiative aims to benefit the broader Andaman coastal region.

 

The waste management system also requires enhancement. A second waste incineration facility is planned to handle 1,200 tonnes per day, with construction set for completion next year, pending land approval.

 

Phuket's development isn’t solely focused on infrastructure. Mayor Supachok Laongpetch revealed a vision for revitalising Old Town to increase tourism. This includes hiring experts to address traffic congestion and preserve the area’s heritage.

 

To further boost the local economy, the city plans to auction the rights to create souvenirs featuring the "Chartered Bear" mascot. This strategy is designed to generate revenue without raising taxes, while positions Phuket as a gastronomic hub through partnerships with the Phuket Tourist Association and Hotel Association.

 

Efforts are also being made, in collaboration with the Provincial Electricity Authority, to modernise the island's power infrastructure by moving more electric cables underground. New night markets and community-integrated tourism schemes are also part of the municipality's broader development strategies.

 

In summary, the call for special administrative status is seen as a necessary step to secure the funding and authority needed to implement these wide-ranging initiatives, addressing both urgent issues and future growth opportunities. Governor Sophon and his team are keen to foster sustainable development while enhancing Phuket’s appeal to tourists and residents alike.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-15

 

On 8/15/2025 at 11:16 AM, snoop1130 said:

pressing issues like clean water shortages, inadequate wastewater management, and rubbish disposal plaguing the province, urgent action is needed.

 

Get rid of the russians and you'll be ok.

There was water shortage when I was there from 1984!! Trucks all day long. Population has risen immensely. Waste water is pumped into the sea. Waste mountains are growing. The island is drowning in greed.

5 minutes ago, geisha said:

There was water shortage when I was there from 1984!! Trucks all day long. Population has risen immensely. Waste water is pumped into the sea. Waste mountains are growing. The island is drowning in greed.

 

A while ago I read that approx 200 billion baht flows onto the island every year. With a budget of 170 million this seems a little unbalanced. 

 

Greed indeed.

A good start would be eliminating at least 60% of the automobiles.

 

If you are a foreigner you have to prove "hardship case", i.e. show work permit proving you need a car to get to work. Otherwise foreigners not allowed to have cars.

 

Yes, yes, I know, there would be graft and such to get around it, but man, the amount of vehicles on Phuket's roads is unsustainable.

They are building condos and villas on all the hills available. We saw what happened last year when there was a landslide from Big Buddha right down to Kata beach!! The Phuket authorities are making hundreds of millions of Baht by permitting this sacrilege to carry on, because that’s what it is, the destruction of the country side and hills, displacing of Thai families, exploding the foreign population and allowing all sorts of criminals, thugs and wasters to take over . As long as the $s keep rolling in , no one cares. 
My Thai friends who were born there and had their livelihoods taken away from them, moved away in the 80s and 90s to Phuket Town. Which is now suffocating in traffic fumes and traffic jams never ending.  Makes me sick.

Ya, sorry geisha, I remember you from the old ThaiVisa days.

 

I think Andaman Coast northward is the idea, don't tell the Russians. People, cars, pollution has ruined Phuket. Unless you are O.K. in your condo in Kathu taking the kids to Central. Why do you live in Thailand to do that?

 

Trang, and Nakon Si Tammarrat. Although not beachy but river and hills Kanchanaburi, lotsa places in Thailand.