Thai island faces water shortage amid tourism boom

Bangkok: Koh Samui, a popular tourist destination off the eastern coast of Thailand, is currently grappling with a severe water shortage, raising concerns about its ability to sustain the growing number of tourists.

Local estimates indicate that there is only enough water to last the next 30 days, posing a significant challenge for resorts and other establishments heavily reliant on water. The diminishing water supply is resulting in a loss of visitors to the island. This comes at a time when the island's tourism industry is booming.

The island, known for its stunning beaches, scenic temples, and luxurious resorts, is striving to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown disaster, reported The Guardian. Several key water reserves on the island, including the Phru Na Mueang and Phru Krajud reservoirs and Hin Lard waterfall, have experienced a noticeable decline in water levels, exacerbating the freshwater crisis.

To mitigate the crisis, Sutham Samthong, Deputy Mayor of Koh Samui, has called on the public to utilise water resources judiciously. The lack of rainfall, coupled with the surge in tourism, has worsened the situation. Samthong remained hopeful that with proper management, the island's freshwater supply could be sustained for the next two months, until the predicted arrival of the rainy season. He emphasised the need to avoid classifying Koh Samui as a disaster zone, expressing the local authorities' commitment to finding solutions.

Concerns still loom over the possibility of more severe water shortages in the coming months due to the El Nino phenomenon, which is associated with warmer conditions and reduced rainfall.

An employee working in the tourism sector in Bo Phut told The Guardian that taps have been running dry once or twice a week for the past three months. As a result, she has resorted to purchasing water from pick-up trucks and conserving supplies in a small pool. She added that her neighbour had to walk to a nearby temple solely for bathroom use due to the scarcity of water. She expressed her astonishment at such unprecedented water shortages, noting the significant impact it has had on local businesses.

The water scarcity issue on Koh Samui Island is being hailed as a reminder of the urgent need for sustainable water management in the face of increased tourism and the potential challenges brought about by natural phenomena such as El Nino.