By the end of 2025, daily waste generation could climb to 1,400 tonnes, overwhelming the island’s waste infrastructure.
Phuket, Thailand’s crown jewel of tourism, renowned for its pristine beaches and breathtaking sunsets, faces an escalating garbage crisis that threatens its image as a tropical paradise. With over 13 million tourists visiting the island in 2024—out of Thailand’s 35.5 million foreign arrivals—the surge in tourism has pushed waste management systems to their breaking point.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Every day, Phuket produces more than 1,100 tonnes of waste. While 700 tonnes are incinerated at the island’s lone waste-to-energy facility, the remaining trash piles up in a rapidly expanding landfill in eastern Phuket. Once a tranquil backdrop of mountains, the landfill has grown into a sprawling eyesore, replacing nature’s serenity with the hum of trucks and towering garbage heaps.
A Growing Garbage Crisis Amid Tourism Boom
One glaring issue exacerbating the waste crisis is the prevalence of unregistered accommodations on the island. An estimated 70% of lodgings in Phuket operate informally, creating a significant gap in waste management. These unregulated facilities contribute to mounting trash while evading oversight, posing risks not only to the environment but also to tourist safety.
The fallout of improper waste disposal is visible beyond the landfill. Plastic bottles, empty beer cans, and other debris litter the seafloor in Phuket’s surrounding waters, tarnishing the island’s natural beauty and harming marine ecosystems.
Despite these challenges, Phuket is ambitiously pursuing its goal of becoming a “Sustainable Tourism Destination” by 2026. Deputy Mayor Suppachoke Laongphet acknowledged the rapid urbanization driven by tourism and construction as key contributors to the crisis. He warned that by the end of 2025, daily waste generation could climb to 1,400 tonnes, overwhelming the island’s waste infrastructure.
Local authorities have set an ambitious target to reduce waste generation by 15% within six months. Plans are also underway to expand the existing landfill and construct a second incinerator to handle the growing volume of trash.
Experts Call for Holistic Solutions
While expanding incineration capacity may seem like a quick fix, waste management experts argue that it’s only part of the solution. Assistant Professor Panate Manomaivibool of Burapha University emphasized the importance of waste reduction and separation.
“If you just keep expanding more waste incinerators, I don’t think that would be just the solution,” he said, advocating for a shift in focus toward minimizing waste at its source and encouraging better recycling practices.
Phuket’s reliance on tourism as an economic engine complicates its efforts to manage waste sustainably. The island’s authorities are walking a fine line between catering to a booming tourist population and preserving the environment that draws millions to its shores each year.
As the island strives to redefine itself as a sustainable tourism destination, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Success will depend on implementing robust policies, involving local communities, and holding unregistered accommodations accountable for their environmental impact.
