SPECIAL

Urgent wake-up call for Koh Samui

Thanapat Kitjakosol

The Nation

SAMUI: -- After worst blackout in its history, officials ponder how to deal with shortcomings on tourist paradise; Power shortage, garbage, drinking water and chronic floods high on agenda

Apart from power-supply measures to augment electricity output following Koh Samui's worst-ever blackout earlier this month, local authorities are planning to tackle persistent problems while also launching development projects to cater to the 1 million tourists who visit this island off Surat Thani each year.

Despite collecting taxes from local businesses worth more than Bt500 million each year, the Muang Samui municipality has only about Bt50 million left over - after deducting regular expenses - to spend on tourism-related projects, former mayor Ramnet Jaikwang said. Calling this amount meagre, he urged the government to provide subsidy so as to tap the tourism potential of this world-famous destination that brings in Bt10 billion revenue each year.

"The Bt50 million is enough for only regular maintenance and repairs of existing infrastructure," he said. There is a 54km ring road around the island of which only 17km has been paved, while the daily garbage output of 150 tonnes is another problem that needs better handling. Freshwater supply is also a serious problem that would require better solutions by the government. The local municipality prefers creating small mires, in keeping with its green policy, rather than the construction of five dams.

He described the regular flooding on Samui Island as "a joke", explaining that this was happening because owners of beachfront areas or coastal hotels refused to build sewers or drains on their properties due to fear that it would affect their businesses or become eyesores.

"Even roads located 20 metres away from the beach are flooded because drainage is not at full speed as the drain-free roads block the rainwater from flowing into the sea," he added.

Ramnet said guidelines for the development of infrastructure must be worked out. In particular, electricity supply must be made available, considering the rapid increase in the number of tourists, he said.

There is another serious problem - foreign tourists and retirees owning land acquired through Thai nominees. This issue needs to be urgently addressed, and even a change in government policy might be required.

"Should this policy be altered to welcome more tourists to settle in Thailand, with a large amount of their money further spent?" he asked.

The long-term zoning of land use should also be addressed, and regulated eventually, he said. Areas should be divided into residential, financial and tourist-related to make them easier to manage and to designate the land prices. Infrastructure needs to accommodate a greater number of tourists - up to 2,000 daily now.

"Limiting the number of tourists is not an issue now but clear guidelines on how to accommodate many more of them must be worked out," he added.

Samui district chief Prasert Jitmung said a second airport in mainland Don Sak district in Surat Thani was on the agenda, as the only airport on the island could handle only 3,000 passengers and 36 flights, while boat trips between Surat Thani and Samui island take three hours.

The 72-hour blackout earlier this month affected 30,000 tourists and resulted in lost revenue of about Bt10 billion.

-- The Nation 2012-12-21

And where in the 50 million the government said they where giving samui after the black out?

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

Obviously you have not seen much of Samui, to make a silly statement like that...

Look at images on this link and you'll see why....

http://www.thaivisa....o/page__st__225

interesting .....

'There is another serious problem - foreign tourists and retirees owning land acquired through Thai nominees. This issue needs to be urgently addressed, and even a change in government policy might be required.

"Should this policy be altered to welcome more tourists to settle in Thailand, with a large amount of their money further spent?" he asked.'

So, 10 billion in revenue and 500 million in taxes. Hmmm, 5% tax rate.

interesting .....

'There is another serious problem - foreign tourists and retirees owning land acquired through Thai nominees. This issue needs to be urgently addressed, and even a change in government policy might be required.

"Should this policy be altered to welcome more tourists to settle in Thailand, with a large amount of their money further spent?" he asked.'

I like that idea a lot...goes to show that at least some Thai’s understand what we have to go thru to live here

sounds positive now they know how to deal with the problem there is no exxcuse to not make it work

i like spliting the island into finacial and resident areas. makes sense ar to protect people buying land next to a black moon party

also not sure what is meant about foeigner setting up business to buy houses and land. i think it is suggested to make it easier for forangs in tourist areas. which makes sense and would save a fortune in taxes for business and trying to sell from fornag comopany to fornag company is a nightmare

people still buy these places and buy land anyway it is creates more ghost houses when they cannot be sold due to people being put off by the selling proceedure.

Not everyone is married to a Thai which means that forang couples and familys have to pay allot each month in business tax just to won a house.

Malayasia you get a free 7 year visa with your house if u buy. but not good for me as i like Thailand.

If Thailand is split up into place were forangs can and connot buy land this shall stop thai worries that forangs shall buy out thailand.

So, 10 billion in revenue and 500 million in taxes. Hmmm, 5% tax rate.

also we pay for out electric. so they get 50 million in tax money what about the profit from out electric bills????

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

Obviously you have not seen much of Samui, to make a silly statement like that...

Look at images on this link and you'll see why....

Same problem all over the world. People want to get away from it all ... as long as they don't have to get out of the car/bus/train and walk very far.

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

Obviously you have not seen much of Samui, to make a silly statement like that...

Look at images on this link and you'll see why....

http://www.thaivisa....o/page__st__225

Jimmy you need to get out more and see the real Thailand ! Nice photos but The better Thailand is out there waiting for you. Better yet, stay there and don't spoil it for the rest of us

obviouslty they think everyone is stupid.... a 72 hour blackout and 10 BILLION is lost (I understand bookings were cancelled for later in the Year)...yet only 500 million A YEAR is collected in tax on the islands (Raja, Seatran must pay quite a sum, what about Bangkok airways?... as usual a lot of hot air)

The bottom line is as always Bleed the Goldern Goose Dry..and then complain when the Gold eggs stop.

Central Government should be investing at least a Billion a year...with strict corruption checks at all levels inc Abasits hench man

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

Obviously you have not seen much of Samui, to make a silly statement like that...

Look at images on this link and you'll see why....

http://www.thaivisa....o/page__st__225

Jimmy you need to get out more and see the real Thailand ! Nice photos but The better Thailand is out there waiting for you. Better yet, stay there and don't spoil it for the rest of us

Ha !!! Jeffery!!!

I've probably seen more of Thailand than most people.... off the "beaten track" too, I prefer the roads less traveled, where few Farangs fear to tread... thank goodness for that!

Lots of areas still to see I admit... but working on it!!!

Look through the http://www.thaivisa....y-and-the-arts/ you won't find many images of mine, in normal "tourist trap" places"

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

Obviously you have not seen much of Samui, to make a silly statement like that...

Look at images on this link and you'll see why....

http://www.thaivisa....o/page__st__225

Jimmy you need to get out more and see the real Thailand ! Nice photos but The better Thailand is out there waiting for you. Better yet, stay there and don't spoil it for the rest of us

Jimmy does get out, he just chooses to live in a cool sleepy village called Maenam, with friendly locals & expats, it has beautiful jungle and a quiet relaxing beach, great for swimming, with great views of Phangan and sunsets that scorch the sky complimenting your cold beer. Some of us need to live where we can make a living, but we still get to enjoy the little things that make Thailand beautiful for us everyday.

Your welcome to join us for a beer sometime and see for yourself.

Only Samui based and registered businesses pay tax in Samui; Seatran, Bangkok Airways, etc and probably most of the large and medium sized hotels/resorts are not registered here so they will pay taxes on the income generated in Samui somewhere else; probably Bangkok or Surat Thani. Believe you me the rate of tax is not 5%. Corporation tax is 30% here. So the issue is very real, Samui can only collect taxes locally but most of the income is to entities outside of Samui so nothing is collected which can be spent on local infrastructure improvements.

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

Ain't that the truth...

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

Just aswell that you don't want to come to Samui. You would struggle get a room anyway because the island is packed with people that do want to be here.

Only Samui based and registered businesses pay tax in Samui; Seatran, Bangkok Airways, etc and probably most of the large and medium sized hotels/resorts are not registered here so they will pay taxes on the income generated in Samui somewhere else; probably Bangkok or Surat Thani. Believe you me the rate of tax is not 5%. Corporation tax is 30% here. So the issue is very real, Samui can only collect taxes locally but most of the income is to entities outside of Samui so nothing is collected which can be spent on local infrastructure improvements.

Regardless of where a company is registered, all taxes go to central government RD, and it gets redistributed. Corporate income tax is 23%. Exception; A province can charge up to 3% of roomprice in hotel tax, which is paid directly to the province. Example is Phuket where 1% is levied. Don't think Suratthani has this. The fact that Samui is now a town, should see more funds going its way.

A decent and reasonably priced transport system would not go astray either

Back in the eighties, sumui and phangan were unspoilt, relaxing and beautiful place to be, then they built the airport.

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

Just aswell that you don't want to come to Samui. You would struggle get a room anyway because the island is packed with people that do want to be here.

Cannot get a flight either.

Remove the airport, do a clean sweep of island businesses, homes and rid the island of unsavory, illegal and insightly stuff or risk losing tourism business and property values. The boat trip is quite ok and you can bring your car for god's sakes, but lets tax that(add island fee 500 Baht per vehicle which goes towards road maintenance). Its time that quality overtake quantity on Samui.

Remove the airport, do a clean sweep of island businesses, homes and rid the island of unsavory, illegal and insightly stuff or risk losing tourism business and property values. The boat trip is quite ok and you can bring your car for god's sakes, but lets tax that(add island fee 500 Baht per vehicle which goes towards road maintenance). Its time that quality overtake quantity on Samui.

I fully agree, it would be so much more convenient for tourists from Europe, Australia and other parts of Asia to not fly here, but instead all visit Samui by car.

Remove the airport, do a clean sweep of island businesses, homes and rid the island of unsavory, illegal and insightly stuff or risk losing tourism business and property values. The boat trip is quite ok and you can bring your car for god's sakes, but lets tax that(add island fee 500 Baht per vehicle which goes towards road maintenance). Its time that quality overtake quantity on Samui.

Small flaw in logic there PC. If you go for quality and not quantity - not many rich geezers want to drive here. Also - there will not be many cars coming onto the island if there are not many people here to sell to. (Every time that I have been on a ferry - the majority of vehicles have been business ones making deliveries - not tourists.)

Taking your logic one step further - stop the ferries - we won't need roads anyway. Then all of the aging hippies can hire a longtail to get here and live off the land. Perfect.

Remove the airport, do a clean sweep of island businesses, homes and rid the island of unsavory, illegal and insightly stuff or risk losing tourism business and property values. The boat trip is quite ok and you can bring your car for god's sakes, but lets tax that(add island fee 500 Baht per vehicle which goes towards road maintenance). Its time that quality overtake quantity on Samui.

Sorry, but quality is a non word in Samui vocabulary

after deducting regular expenses

450 million baht. That's quite some expense.

Remove the airport, do a clean sweep of island businesses, homes and rid the island of unsavory, illegal and insightly stuff or risk losing tourism business and property values. The boat trip is quite ok and you can bring your car for god's sakes, but lets tax that(add island fee 500 Baht per vehicle which goes towards road maintenance). Its time that quality overtake quantity on Samui.

Unlike some others, I agree with this one. It certainly hasn't hurt Catalina Island in So California at all. Instead of being just an extension of the crowded beaches of California, it's an honest to gosh getaway. Access by boat or helicopter only.

I'd bet one guy arriving on a helicopter would put out as many tourist dollars as a dozen arrivals in the back of a flying cattle car- with a lot less wear and tear on the surroundings and infrastructure, and better tips, too. The rest of us could easily take a boat.

There's something to be said for an arrival at a place that's just a little too far out of the way (or way too expensive) for the unwashed masses to bother with it. I'd prefer the "out of the way" to the "too expensive".

Well yes Samui isn't what it was 20 years ago when we first went there for a short trip.But everyone who went there for a Holliday helped to build what it is now. A well thought plan came maybe to late,but is still possible before it turns into a exclusive paradise or a place that the regular tourist will avoid.on the other hand all what's happens now is "Thai style" short term policy.Or like in the song; " welcome everybody to the island in the sun".... Hope we can sing that along in the future!

Well yes Samui isn't what it was 20 years ago when we first went there for a short trip.But everyone who went there for a Holliday helped to build what it is now. A well thought plan came maybe to late,but is still possible before it turns into a exclusive paradise or a place that the regular tourist will avoid.on the other hand all what's happens now is "Thai style" short term policy.Or like in the song; " welcome everybody to the island in the sun".... Hope we can sing that along in the future!

More likely to sing Eagles "Last Resort" .. ."Call some place paradise, you can kiss it goodbye."

Seen it happen to thousands of great places in the 50+ years I've been walking around. I've also seen some places preserved quite nicely. Sadly, the former far outpace the latter.

There are so many better places in Thailand and beyond to spend your holidays than the corrupt, over-built Koh Samui -

Obviously you have not seen much of Samui, to make a silly statement like that...

Look at images on this link and you'll see why....

http://www.thaivisa....o/page__st__225

Jimmy you need to get out more and see the real Thailand ! Nice photos but The better Thailand is out there waiting for you. Better yet, stay there and don't spoil it for the rest of us

Jimmy...........i have been to places on Samui where you can "Cooee" all bloody day and no one would hear you !