Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Phuket City officials are grappling with a mounting waste crisis, as the island produces 1,200 tonnes of waste daily while having incinerator capacity for only 500 tonnes. Mayor Supachok La-ongpetch voiced concerns during a meeting with Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn, stressing the urgency for more local administrations to tackle waste management collaboratively. The remaining waste is sent to landfills, which are nearing capacity, raising alarms about the island's sustainability amid increasing tourist numbers.

 

Previously, Phuket's waste issues were manageable, but recent tourism spikes have exacerbated existing challenges. The island's population swells during peak seasons, far exceeding the capacity of Nakhon Phuket Municipality’s resources. Despite charges of 520 baht per tonne for waste handling from other local agencies, there has been resistance to new contracts proposing increased fees to incentivize waste reduction.

 

Mayor Supachok expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of cooperation from other local administrations, noting that only 10% of waste is currently recycled. Governor Nirat committed to enforce greater action among local offices and hinted at enforcing self-management of waste to relieve the municipality. Planned meetings aim to forge solutions promptly, as daily waste is projected to reach 1,500 tonnes by month-end due to tourism expansion.

 

Looking ahead, the governor’s follow-up meetings with the municipality and local administrations are expected this month. These discussions aim to distribute waste management responsibilities more evenly and seek innovative solutions. With 19 local administrative offices on the island, collaborative efforts are crucial to mitigate the waste challenge and honor election promises to resolve the problem effectively, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways

• Phuket's waste production outstrips incineration capacity, leading to landfill overflow.
• Efforts to raise waste handling fees are met with resistance from local agencies.
• Governor plans enhanced local collaboration and self-management to tackle the crisis.

 

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Illegal Waste Found in Rayong Factories, Two Sites Shut Down

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-12-05

 

 

 

On 12/5/2025 at 11:10 AM, snoop1130 said:

Phuket City officials are grappling with a mounting waste crisis, as the island produces 1,200 tonnes of waste daily while having incinerator capacity for only 500 tonnes.

 

But they still want more and more tourists to Phuket, greedy bastards!

I read somewhere that there are industrial incinerators that can burn at high enough temperatures that minimize emissions. It's an investment.

Ban tourists, waste problem solved.