Phuket’s black wastewater oozes toward tourists

[Lite Beer]

Phuket’s black wastewater oozes toward tourists
Phuket Gazette -

The change in winds is directing the black water toward the section of Bang Tao Beach where tourists swim. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Alarmed officials are concerned how the weather has turned the flow of black wastewater from a canal at Bang Tao toward a beach area where tourists swim.

“All tourists are afraid to swim here. They are going to Layan Beach instead,” said local resident Jumnong Korkaew.

When Governor Maitri Inthusut inspected the site on April 12 (story here), the wind pushed the dirty water away from the tourists’ swimming zone, he explained.

“The dirty water didn’t affect tourists because it flowed toward the area where longtail boats are anchored,” said Mr Jumnong.

“But now the wind has changed, and the black water heads directly into the area where tourists swim.”

The dirty water has drastically affected local people’s incomes, Mr Jumnong said.

“Right now very few tourists come here as the water is worse than ever. The smell and the color are terrible; the stench sometimes stings my eyes and nose,” he added.

“It’s because hotels still release wastewater directly into the canal.”

Ma-ann Samran, president of the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor), warned tourists who have open wounds to avoid going into the water.

“All people, including residents, tourists and fisherman, please do not go into the sea if you have any cuts on your body,” he said.

People who do come into contact with the dirty water should wash the affected areas with clean water as soon as possible, he added.

“Our officers are working on the wastewater problem. We will make it better as soon as we can,” Mr Ma-ann said.

Source: http://phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phukets-black-wastewater-oozes-toward-tourists/29255#ad-image-0

-- Phuket Gazette 2014-04-27

[clockman]

T.I.T. No reinvestment in tourism, no concern for the environment. Only greed.

[NeverSure]

And, I bother to get into arguments with Thai apologists about the differences between Thailand and a first world country in infrastructure and cleanliness.

What a flippin' mess.

[fatfather]

..... as soon as we can....

15 years ago?

Fatfather

Sent from my phone

[NeverSure]

T.I.T. No reinvestment in tourism, no concern for the environment. Only greed.

Yep. It doesn't matter if they destroy their environment. It matters only if it affects their pocketbooks and even then all they do is moan about that.

Where I come from in the West, you'd go to jail and face a huge fine for draining raw sewage into an open canal, or even onto the ground. But then there would be a proper sewer line to connect to that would take the waste to the sewage treatment plant.

What they are doing is disgusting, and it isn't limited to Fooket.

[grumpyoldman]

Seems to me there are always building projects, plus Burmese encampments upstream from these black wastewater runoffs. Big problem also, no rain to dilute.

So what we have here folks, is concentrated scheit.

[NamKangMan]

They definately should have a "meeting" about this to discuss the problem.

[kaveh]

let them suffer from lake of tourists in near future, although the whole issue is related to uncontrolled-tourism!

the man kind can easily destroy his environment, faster than any other creature in the galaxy!

[ClutchClark]

the man kind can easily destroy his environment, faster than any other creature in the galaxy!

The entire Galaxy?

[lucjoker]

think positive : no swimmers -no drownings

no tourists -no jet ski scams,no tuk tuk scams ,no gold neck less snatching ,......nothing than good !

[Rimbuman]

We saw some of these black streams from the air when we flew back from the south of Thailand, I was wondering how it comes that they get away with this, now it is clear because at times they don't get away with this.

Monkey management.

[Thai at Heart]

Realise that just about every major resort I Thailand has water treatment like this. This is probably just surface water and some household stuff, but to allow it to floe straight into.pristine water like this is horrendous.

[tingtongteesood]

Thai people might actually learn one day that their actions can affect other people and when they make a mess, if they ignore it, it may well bite them on the ass later. I have zero sympathy. The idiots should have cleaned up the mess long ago like laws in civilized countries would tell them to do or else face a large fine. There are reasons for laws like those and reasons why they should be enforced and in non banana republics they are.

[kurnell]

Thai people might actually learn one day that their actions can affect other people and when they make a mess, if they ignore it, it may well bite them on the ass later. I have zero sympathy. The idiots should have cleaned up the mess long ago like laws in civilized countries would tell them to do or else face a large fine. There are reasons for laws like those and reasons why they should be enforced and in non banana republics they are.

Learn? Not in the next 50 years.

[Travel Dude]

Somnamna! I quote: "some hotels are releasing black water"

Well soon those hotels will be empty cause tourists will avoid this beach.

They will be crying all over when travel agents will cancel their contracts on Bangtao beach.

Well done and me pen rai, right?

[JimHuaHin]

Thai people might actually learn one day that their actions can affect other people and when they make a mess, if they ignore it, it may well bite them on the ass later. I have zero sympathy. The idiots should have cleaned up the mess long ago like laws in civilized countries would tell them to do or else face a large fine. There are reasons for laws like those and reasons why they should be enforced and in non banana republics they are.

Maybe one day ... in the distant future ... when most beaches and waterways in Thailand are polluted ... and tourist and expat numbers drop, say to 5-10 % of current levels, and Thai unemployment reaches double digits, then maybe, just maybe, the authorities may do something about the pollution problem ... but until that time, mai pen rai!!!

[lucjoker]

when will they learn ? Never.

10 y after the tsunami ,Khao Lak whit his wonderful beaches is recovering but you should look at the state of the resorts.

Absolutely dirty !

Also there souring canals are dug to the sea !

Gone is the clear blue water !(only on the islands it is still ok,but will not be for long ,as also there the hotels are stuck with their waste water)

So enjoy while you can ,in 2 generations they will only swim in swimming pools (build on the beach ,lol)

[NamKangMan]

Thai people might actually learn one day that their actions can affect other people and when they make a mess, if they ignore it, it may well bite them on the ass later. I have zero sympathy. The idiots should have cleaned up the mess long ago like laws in civilized countries would tell them to do or else face a large fine. There are reasons for laws like those and reasons why they should be enforced and in non banana republics they are.

Maybe one day ... in the distant future ... when most beaches and waterways in Thailand are polluted ... and tourist and expat numbers drop, say to 5-10 % of current levels, and Thai unemployment reaches double digits, then maybe, just maybe, the authorities may do something about the pollution problem ... but until that time, mai pen rai!!!

And what will Thailand's answer be when that happens, get the TAT to target the African market.

[ClutchClark]

Thai people might actually learn one day that their actions can affect other people and when they make a mess, if they ignore it, it may well bite them on the ass later. I have zero sympathy. The idiots should have cleaned up the mess long ago like laws in civilized countries would tell them to do or else face a large fine. There are reasons for laws like those and reasons why they should be enforced and in non banana republics they are.

Maybe one day ... in the distant future ... when most beaches and waterways in Thailand are polluted ... and tourist and expat numbers drop, say to 5-10 % of current levels, and Thai unemployment reaches double digits, then maybe, just maybe, the authorities may do something about the pollution problem ... but until that time, mai pen rai!!!

And what will Thailand's answer be when that happens, get the TAT to target the African market.

The beaches are still cleaner than average pollution levels in China and parts of Russia.

Maybe they should attempt to attract visitors from these locations?

[jocko]

i

I dont see China or Russia promoting it's wonderfull beaches for tourists.