Phuketwan SOB - Save Our Beaches
PHUKET: A local action group in Phuket's Bang Tao beach community has extracted a promise from a foreshore hotel that it will cease pouring bad water into a canal that flows to the sea.
Activist and former local councillor Santi Kokawi said: ''We will highlight other resorts in the district if they are doing the wrong thing.''
The Dalar Resort appears to have been constructed just a couple of years ago without provision for a waste-water system.
In a popular tourist area peppered with four and five-star resorts, the Dalar has recently been taken over by a Russian management team.
Managers agreed with a local deputation yesterday to immediately bring in trucks to transfer out the waste water, and to advise the Thai owners that they need to instal a treatment system.
The stench from the bad water flowing into a canal at the rear of the resort proved to be too much for local taxi driver Winai Jiraksa, who operates from a station nearby.
''It's the third time that the stink has become really objectionable,'' he said. Local officials joined residents and business proprietors living nearby on their visit to the resort yesterday.
The water streams from the resort into a canal that flows through the local village before emerge into the sea at Bang Tao beach nearby.
It is evident that the bad water comes from the Dalar Resort. A canal junction nearby in Moo Sam flows relatively cleanly until it intersects with the water from the resort.
''We are glad to hear that this will be fixed,'' Khun Winai said. ''It's a mystery to me though how a new resort could be built and approved without a proper waste disposal system.''
The destination of the trucked-out waste water was not revealed.
Phuketwan Opinion Phuket's beaches will continue to disappear beneath restaurant tables, loungers, bad water and selfishness unless action is taken quickly.
Planet Phuket: Save the Beaches from Bad Water, Greed and Self-Interest
Save Phuket's Beaches, Pleads Hotelier
Latest Phuket must fight to save its beaches from commercialisation or face an end to its good years as a popular tourist destination, says a leading hotelier.
Save Phuket's Beaches, Pleads Hotelier
'Pian Patrol' To Guard Patong Beachfront
Save Our Beaches campaign Patong Mayor Pian Keesin announces a new patrol that will protect tourists and residents - and Patong beach - around the clock every day.
'Pian Patrol' To Guard Patong Beachfront
Phuket Giants Fall to Remorseless Forces of Nature
Latest Some of Phuket's most beautiful trees prove fragile against the force of the sea at one of Phuket's national coastal parks. Locals would like to save them, but can do little to halt the sea.
Phuket Giants Fall to Remorseless Forces of Nature
Phuket Gains Safety Video, Lifeguard Centre
Latest A video about swimming safety with Thai subtitles has been released on You Tube just as plans for a Phuket Lifesaving Education Centre are revealed.
Phuket Gains Safety Video, Lifeguard Centre
Phuket Road Toll Trending Down: Helmet Safety Wins Awards
Latest Phuket's road toll continues to be held in check compared to two years ago. Awards have followed the Phuket campaign to encourage more motorcycle riders to wear helmets.
Phuket Road Toll Trending Down: Helmet Safety Wins Awards
I've been using these articles in my class with my Thai students lately (I hope that's OK.) I find it interesting that they know nothing of these pollution problems, hopefully now they will see the light and in the future be able to do something about it. It would be interesting to find out where the truck goes...
Posted by Ajarn on August 23, 2011 09:20
Editor Comment:
Lack of awareness is one of the key problems on Phuket. Here's hoping your students ask their parents some questions!