Koh Phangan Paradise Island concerned by looming water crisis

The water situation on Koh Phangan Island, one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations and famous for its monthly Full Moon Party, is worrisome for the island and is risking a crisis due a shortage of water resources.

Koh Phangan Provincial Waterworks Authority official Pichaya Nititham said, three local untreated water resources which are used to produce water supply for the island have become dry for over two months.

As a result, a local water treatment plant belonging to the waterworks authority can only produce 200 cubic metres of water per day from an original 1,500 cubic metres per day.

Mr Pichaya said the water distribution system was thus rearranged to only twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

He said if there is no rain within two weeks, all untreated water resources on the island will be completely exhausted, and Koh Phangan will not be able to produce its own water supply, which will affect at least 10,000 local residents and foreign tourists alike.

They may have to buy water supply from private-owned businesses which charge higher rates, according to the official.

With friendly support from Pattaya Mail