PHUKET'S beaches, promoted by some as among the best in the world, have mostly declined to three-star quality on a five-star scale, according to a newly published document by the Pollution Control Department.
Phuket's international reputation could be ruined unless beach environment practices improve, the report said.
''The biggest problem we encountered was lack of management of the environment, followed by management of the tourist industry,'' the report said.
''Phuket does not have enough good management, which accounts for the degradation.
''In too many areas, garbage can still be found, especially in areas where tourists do not go, or near fishing communities.''
While garbage was the main problem at local beaches ''undiscovered'' by tourists, at other beaches, local authorities did not control the number of umbrellas and loungers or maintain good systems for toilets or disposal of trash.
Little information was available on water quality or processes to confirm the quality of waste water at resorts and hotels.
Little information was provided to residents or tourists about the need to take care of the environment on and around beaches.
Officials from the department told a meeting at Phuket's Natural Resources and Environment HQ that their check included water quality, garbage and management at 14 beaches.
Representatives from Phuket's local authorities, the Chief of Marine Office 5, the Phuket Marine Biology Centre, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and national park rangers attended the briefing.
Three stars represented a percentage rating of between 50-70 percent, the officials said, with 13 beaches on Phuket rating three stars and Ao Por beach on the east coast rating two stars.
''This beach has two stars because it has garbage in the sea and on the beach,'' the report said. ''There is also garbage behind the beach, mostly from activities by tourists.
''Petrol was evident in the sea as well,'' the report said. ''There is no information about managing the quality of the water around this beach.''
The beach is close to Cape Yamu, on Phuket's east coast.
The other 13 beaches, all three-star on a five-star scale, are categorised as follows:
Rawai Bacteria ratings in the water around the sea gypsy village are beyond acceptable limits. Construction is also encroaching on the beach. Rawai has some signs about protecting the environment, but there are no adequate check on water waste from private enterprises. There seems to be a reluctance to solve community issues.
Koh He The problem here is not so much about the environment as a hotel and restaurant that encroaches on the sand. There is no information from the owner about the quality of waste water and how garbage is disposed of. Information for tourists is limited.
Koh Racha The coral reefs and the number and variety of fish here are in decline. No information is forthcoming about waste water quality and garbage. There is construction along the beach. No information for tourists about safety. No information about problems tourists have encountered with health.
Nai Harn Garbage of 2.3 kilograms per 100 square metres. No information about water and garbage. Tables, umbrellas and lounge chairs on the beach. The local community is reluctant to help to solve problems.
Kata Beach Fewer marine creatures found in the water. No information about garbage disposal or the quality of water. Umbrellas and tables and loungers all along this beach. Information to tourists in some signs. Local people do not join in meetings or see the need for community involvement.
Kata Noi Marine creatures reduced in this beach. No information for tourists, except for a few signs. The local community shows no inclination to manage the beach.
Karon A reduction in variety in marine life. No information about quality of waste water, garbage, and little involvement of the local community. Beach loungers growing in number along the beach. No information beyond the signs for tourists about protecting the environment. In the monsoon season, lots of garbage along the beach.
Layan Garbage on the beach at a rate of 0.77 kilos per 100 square metres. No information to confirm that the environment is being cared for on the beach. No information for tourists about helping to protect the environment. No indication that local communities wish to join in protecting the environment.
Patong Bacteria in the water: coliform at 6400 mpn per 100 ml. Noise from activities disturbing a peaceful environment. Construction has already encroached on the natural borders of the beach. No information about problems tourists have encountered with health. Various buildings erected along the shorefront. Umbrellas, lounges in large numbers. Fewer marine creatures, no information about garbage management. No information for tourists about protecting the environment. Local people not involved in solving the problem.
Koh Naka No information about how garbage is managed, or guidance for tourists about the environment. No information about problems tourists have encountered with health. Local people do not participate. Infrastructure needed for bins and toilets as the popularity of this destination grows.
Thala No longer a natural zone at the border of the beach. No information about water quality or garbage. Tower security system inadequate. No cooperation from the local community.
Mai Khao Garbage on the beach. 1.70 kilograms per 100 square metres. Petrol from boats evident. No information about waste water, no information for tourists. Local people have failed to join together to solve the problem.
Laem Singh No longer a border on the beach because of restaurants and construction. No information for tourists. No proper care for garbage. Local people decline to join to protect the environment.
Phuket's management of the environment is rated at 33 percent compared to the management of beaches in Trang, a less developed Andaman province, which score 52 percent.
The report was made in 2009 and the 2010 report is due in mid-2011.
Something New for Phuket's Old TownPhuket's international reputation could be ruined unless beach environment practices improve, the report said.
''The biggest problem we encountered was lack of management of the environment, followed by management of the tourist industry,'' the report said.
''Phuket does not have enough good management, which accounts for the degradation.
''In too many areas, garbage can still be found, especially in areas where tourists do not go, or near fishing communities.''
While garbage was the main problem at local beaches ''undiscovered'' by tourists, at other beaches, local authorities did not control the number of umbrellas and loungers or maintain good systems for toilets or disposal of trash.
Little information was available on water quality or processes to confirm the quality of waste water at resorts and hotels.
Little information was provided to residents or tourists about the need to take care of the environment on and around beaches.
Officials from the department told a meeting at Phuket's Natural Resources and Environment HQ that their check included water quality, garbage and management at 14 beaches.
Representatives from Phuket's local authorities, the Chief of Marine Office 5, the Phuket Marine Biology Centre, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and national park rangers attended the briefing.
Three stars represented a percentage rating of between 50-70 percent, the officials said, with 13 beaches on Phuket rating three stars and Ao Por beach on the east coast rating two stars.
''This beach has two stars because it has garbage in the sea and on the beach,'' the report said. ''There is also garbage behind the beach, mostly from activities by tourists.
''Petrol was evident in the sea as well,'' the report said. ''There is no information about managing the quality of the water around this beach.''
The beach is close to Cape Yamu, on Phuket's east coast.
The other 13 beaches, all three-star on a five-star scale, are categorised as follows:
Rawai Bacteria ratings in the water around the sea gypsy village are beyond acceptable limits. Construction is also encroaching on the beach. Rawai has some signs about protecting the environment, but there are no adequate check on water waste from private enterprises. There seems to be a reluctance to solve community issues.
Koh He The problem here is not so much about the environment as a hotel and restaurant that encroaches on the sand. There is no information from the owner about the quality of waste water and how garbage is disposed of. Information for tourists is limited.
Koh Racha The coral reefs and the number and variety of fish here are in decline. No information is forthcoming about waste water quality and garbage. There is construction along the beach. No information for tourists about safety. No information about problems tourists have encountered with health.
Nai Harn Garbage of 2.3 kilograms per 100 square metres. No information about water and garbage. Tables, umbrellas and lounge chairs on the beach. The local community is reluctant to help to solve problems.
Kata Beach Fewer marine creatures found in the water. No information about garbage disposal or the quality of water. Umbrellas and tables and loungers all along this beach. Information to tourists in some signs. Local people do not join in meetings or see the need for community involvement.
Kata Noi Marine creatures reduced in this beach. No information for tourists, except for a few signs. The local community shows no inclination to manage the beach.
Karon A reduction in variety in marine life. No information about quality of waste water, garbage, and little involvement of the local community. Beach loungers growing in number along the beach. No information beyond the signs for tourists about protecting the environment. In the monsoon season, lots of garbage along the beach.
Layan Garbage on the beach at a rate of 0.77 kilos per 100 square metres. No information to confirm that the environment is being cared for on the beach. No information for tourists about helping to protect the environment. No indication that local communities wish to join in protecting the environment.
Patong Bacteria in the water: coliform at 6400 mpn per 100 ml. Noise from activities disturbing a peaceful environment. Construction has already encroached on the natural borders of the beach. No information about problems tourists have encountered with health. Various buildings erected along the shorefront. Umbrellas, lounges in large numbers. Fewer marine creatures, no information about garbage management. No information for tourists about protecting the environment. Local people not involved in solving the problem.
Koh Naka No information about how garbage is managed, or guidance for tourists about the environment. No information about problems tourists have encountered with health. Local people do not participate. Infrastructure needed for bins and toilets as the popularity of this destination grows.
Thala No longer a natural zone at the border of the beach. No information about water quality or garbage. Tower security system inadequate. No cooperation from the local community.
Mai Khao Garbage on the beach. 1.70 kilograms per 100 square metres. Petrol from boats evident. No information about waste water, no information for tourists. Local people have failed to join together to solve the problem.
Laem Singh No longer a border on the beach because of restaurants and construction. No information for tourists. No proper care for garbage. Local people decline to join to protect the environment.
Phuket's management of the environment is rated at 33 percent compared to the management of beaches in Trang, a less developed Andaman province, which score 52 percent.
The report was made in 2009 and the 2010 report is due in mid-2011.
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also not mentioned here, that I witness over and over again during my early morning hour runs on Patong Beach are the incredibly high number of grown people (both Thai and foreigners) that use the beach as their personal toilet...People openly urinating, moving their bowels, as well as those who are drunk, vomiting....pretty disgusting
Posted by sky on January 12, 2011 17:36