Senate Advisor Warns of Urgent Threat from Phuket’s Growing Waste Crisis

A senior advisor to Thailand’s Senate has raised serious concerns over Phuket’s worsening waste situation, calling for immediate intervention to prevent long-term environmental and economic damage.

During a recent inspection, Samran Sinthong, advisor to the Senate Subcommittee on Land Resources under the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, led a delegation to review waste management operations in Phuket.

The team visited the province’s second waste-to-energy facility, which is capable of processing up to 700 tons of garbage daily and remains a central component of the island’s disposal system. Mr. Samran emphasized the need to strictly control incineration processes to limit air pollution, as well as to manage leftover ash safely and systematically.

Inspectors also examined the municipal landfill, which has reached a critical level due to insufficient capacity. The surge in tourism and economic activity has significantly increased waste volumes, pushing the system beyond its limits.

Several key issues were highlighted:

• Odor pollution: Persistent foul smells are affecting nearby communities.

• Visual degradation: Overflowing waste is beginning to damage Phuket’s image as a premium tourist destination.

• Environmental risks: There are growing concerns that leachate from the landfill could contaminate soil and local water sources.

Following the visit, Mr. Samran and the Senate subcommittee proposed a series of urgent measures to be addressed at the national level. These include expanding waste-to-energy capacity, identifying environmentally sustainable landfill sites, and promoting waste separation at the source to reduce pressure on disposal facilities.

They also called for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations to better protect residents and preserve Phuket’s reputation in the global tourism market.