Phuket, Thailand’s beloved resort island, is a magnet for tourists around the globe. Last year alone, it hosted an astonishing 11 million visitors, both local and international. Compare that to the 5.7 million who came in 2002, and you get a sense of just how popular this tropical paradise has become. But with great popularity comes great responsibility—and a mountain of trash. (Photo: Tourism Authority of Thailand)
With the post-pandemic boom in tourism, Phuket is grappling with an ever-growing pile of garbage. “Every day, 1,100 tonnes of waste are carted off to our disposal plant,” says Deputy Governor Norasak Suksomboon. This reflects a dramatic rise from the 742 tonnes in 2022 and 961 tonnes just last year, according to data from the provincial statistics office and Pollution Control Department.
Mr. Norasak highlighted these challenges at the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum, which saw 150 global tourism leaders and policymakers convene in Phuket. They tackled crucial issues like the future of tourism, sustainability, and strategies to combat climate change.
The permanent resident population of Phuket was pegged at 418,000 in 2021, as per the Provincial Administration Department. This figure conveniently leaves out the influx of temporary residents and overseas workers—showcasing just how densely populated the island can get.
The island’s single incinerator, operated by the Phuket municipality, can handle a mere 900 tonnes of waste daily. The overflow ends up in various dumps scattered around the island. Only 10% of Phuket’s trash gets recycled, and a whopping 60% is organic waste, according to the Pollution Control Department.
Mr. Norasak is rallying for a collective effort from volunteers and eco-minded locals. His call to action: turn that organic waste into compost or soil improvers rather than carting it off to disposal facilities. Such grassroots efforts, he suggests, could make a significant difference at a local level.
In an innovative twist, the municipality has kicked off a trial of a “garbage bank” in the Samakkee Samkong community. This initiative in Muang district aims to turn waste into something useful, and if it proves successful, it will be expanded to other areas. Thai PBS has been keeping a keen eye on the initiative, hopeful for its success.
As Phuket welcomes millions of tourists to its golden beaches and sapphire waters, the island is actively seeking sustainable solutions to manage the growing volumes of waste. With the collaboration of residents, volunteers, and policymakers, there’s hope that Phuket can maintain its reputation as a pristine paradise.
It’s great to see Phuket taking steps toward sustainability, but let’s be real—these efforts need to be scaled up massively. 11 million tourists? That’s a nightmare for the environment.
Exactly. I visited last year, and honestly, the beaches are getting dirtier. They need a more robust system, maybe more incinerators or a better recycling program.
More incinerators? Really? That just adds to the pollution and doesn’t solve the root problem.
Good point, John. Maybe they need more education on waste management and stricter regulations for tourists. It’s got to be a collective effort.
How about introducing some tourist taxes specifically for waste management? Make the visitors pay for the mess they create.
Not a bad idea. They use the services, so it’s fair they contribute to the cleanup.
Tourist taxes could work, but only if they’re used efficiently. Corruption can be an issue.
I think the ‘garbage bank’ idea is innovative. More communities should adopt such programs. Turn the waste into wealth!
Sure, it’s a start, but local communities alone can’t handle the pressure of millions of tourists. The government needs to step up big time.
Agreed. The ‘garbage bank’ is a piece of the puzzle. The government should create comprehensive plans involving everyone, including tourists.
This is the kind of innovation that other tourist-heavy places should look at. Really hope it succeeds!
Yes, if it’s successful, it could be a role model for other islands facing similar issues.
Phuket should perhaps limit the number of tourists. Overtourism is clearly causing environmental strain.
Limiting tourists might hit the local economy hard. Many locals depend entirely on tourism.
True, but if the environment gets ruined, there won’t be any tourism left to rely on.
Balancing tourism and environmental health is tough. Maybe more eco-tourism initiatives could help?
Compost from organic waste isn’t going to fix things. This needs massive infrastructural investment.
You’re right, Liam. Compost alone won’t cut it, but it’s a step in the right direction. They need to do more.
Absolutely, Zara. If both small and large-scale efforts are combined, it could make a palpable difference.
The statistics are mind-boggling. Phuket definitely needs international help and investment.
International tourism bodies could help fund some of these initiatives. It’s in everyone’s interest.
The permanent population accounts are clearly outdated. They need updated statistics for better planning.
Agreed. With so many temporary residents and tourists, using old data is misleading.
Turning organic waste into compost is a win-win. It reduces landfill burden and enriches the soil for agriculture.
Turning waste into wealth is a brilliant initiative. More countries should adopt similar models.
Absolutely! If more places took this approach, we’d see a lot less waste and a lot more sustainable growth.
Why not impose stricter penalties for littering? Tourists should face fines for dirtying the place.
Fines could deter irresponsible behavior, but enforcement is the key. How do you keep track of thousands of tourists?
It sounds like a multi-faceted approach is necessary. A mix of community involvement, government action, and international support could make a real difference.
Yes, Anna, all stakeholders need to work together. Only then can they achieve lasting results.
They should start labeling waste bins in multiple languages to make it easier for tourists to dispose of their trash correctly.
That’s a practical suggestion. Communication barriers often cause small issues to become big problems.
11 million tourists is a lot! Phuket should consider eco-tourism avenues to educate and engage tourists in sustainability efforts.
Why isn’t the tourism sector itself more involved in solving this issue? Hotels, for instance, should have stringent waste management policies.
People need to be more conscious of their footprint when traveling. If you’re visiting a place, take care of it like it’s your own home.
More educational campaigns targeting tourists would be useful. You can’t just blame them without giving them the info they need to act correctly.
The government should push for more corporate involvement. Big businesses can sponsor waste management projects.