Phuket officials vow swift action on dirty Patong beach water
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Patong officials are determined to discover the source of foul water being pumped into the sea at Patong Beach following a large section of dirty water surfacing at the beach yesterday.

“Our municipality was not aware of the problem. However, now that we know, we will step in to solve the problem as soon as possible,” Panida Klinbbusa, an officer of Maintenance Services department of Patong Municipality, told the Phuket Gazette.

“Municipality staff will be sent to inspect the length of Patong Beach to determine exactly where the trouble spots are,” Ms Panida said.

She explained that the municipality will not only conduct a thorough investigation, but will seek the cooperation of – and feedback from – beach guards. The authorities will also warn tourists not to swim in areas identified as being affected, for their own safety.

“We expect that the source of the polluted water is one or more hotels releasing wastewater into the bay. If this is the case, we will send warning letters to the hotel, or hotels, ordering them to fully address the problem as soon possible,” Ms Panida said.

However, one source of wastewater being released into the bay is not under suspicion.

“We can confirm the polluted water is not coming from the municipality’s wastewater treatment plant,” Ms Panida said.

“We treat all our wastewater thoroughly before harmlessly releasing it into the sea,” she explained.

“However, we now have to find exactly where the polluted water is coming from, and we will cooperate with every party related to this very serious issue, in order to solve it as soon as possible,” she said.

Patong Beach has long been plagued by wastewater treatment problems. The issue contributed to Phuket’s most popular tourist beach falling in its star ranking attributed by the Pollution Control Department Environment Division in 2006 (story here).

That same year, an algae bloom in the bay saw tourists swimming among “brown seaweed” (story here).

Lack of corrective action by officials over the years has spurred the honorary consuls on the island to express their dismay (story here), but a visiting delegation of 17 ambassadors from European nations to Phuket in June this year has placed dirty beach water back on the tourism agenda (story here).

The Gazette notes that the island’s honorary consuls are to meet with Phuket’s top officials today to discuss the most pressing issues facing expats and tourists in Phuket.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-officials-vow-swift-action-on-dirty-Patong-beach-water-22010.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-08-20

However, one source of wastewater being released into the bay is not under suspicion.
“We can confirm the polluted water is not coming from the municipality’s wastewater treatment plant,” Ms Panida said.

Of course its not Ms Panida, of course its not. But why so defensive?

I bet whoever is doing it is really scared at the thought of receiving a warning letter.

Vow has to be the most overused word in Thai officials vocabulary and is nearly always followed by no actual action.

They were not aware of the problem!! <deleted> are these idiots doing then?

I was walking along the beach yesterday. The water was looking nasty the river on the south side is pretty ugly!!!

I was walking along the beach yesterday. The water was looking nasty the river on the south side is pretty ugly!!!

Pictures. Need pictures!

parting gift from the Major before they hang him out to dry?

Phuket is really getting a severe bashing these days and not before time, however in accordance with the past 20 years of history little will be done or improve.

Phuket is really getting a severe bashing these days and not before time, however in accordance with the past 20 years of history little will be done or improve.

I have to agree in some ways. They had a chance to make a better Phuket after the tsunami, but then the rip off and greed really set in... Unfortunately for those of us that are still here...

Phuket is really getting a severe bashing these days and not before time, however in accordance with the past 20 years of history little will be done or improve.

I have to agree in some ways. They had a chance to make a better Phuket after the tsunami, but then the rip off and greed really set in... Unfortunately for those of us that are still here...

Agreed. Post tsunami, whilst a tragic event, presented a perfect opportunity for a clean start here.

I think there would have been general support for correcting a few of the negative ways that crept into the tourism industry here.

Unfortunately, I think some viewed it as a great opportunity to get their fingers into the cookie jar and it just got out of hand from there.

Phuket is really getting a severe bashing these days and not before time, however in accordance with the past 20 years of history little will be done or improve.

I have to agree in some ways. They had a chance to make a better Phuket after the tsunami, but then the rip off and greed really set in... Unfortunately for those of us that are still here...

Agreed. Post tsunami, whilst a tragic event, presented a perfect opportunity for a clean start here.

I think there would have been general support for correcting a few of the negative ways that crept into the tourism industry here.

Unfortunately, I think some viewed it as a great opportunity to get their fingers into the cookie jar and it just got out of hand from there.

Of course! The outcome is very obvious! Greed won...

Another crackdown I was expecting something like : Give us 2 weeks and the water will be crystal clear

Vow, vow,vow.

No more motorbike rentals on Patong's beach road, after the tsunami.

No more Jet-skis in ten years. (Vowed 10 years ago)

etc.etc.

Bla bla bla. Wasting my time reading manure like that.

Vow, vow,vow.

No more motorbike rentals on Patong's beach road, after the tsunami.

No more Jet-skis in ten years. (Vowed 10 years ago)

etc.etc.

Bla bla bla. Wasting my time reading manure like that.

Yes. They keep talking while the western tourists keep leaving.

As stated previously: Nero fiddled as Rome burned.

Just why do any tourists go to this open sewer? I sympathise with thosewho live there but western embassies should be more active in educating visitors of the dangers of Phuket. Rip off city writ large

Nothing will get cleaned up here, but some bank accounts might get a bit thicker.

Nothing will get cleaned up here, but some bank accounts might get a bit thicker.

Waiting with bated breath the budget estimate for this.