Phuket Beaches 'Face Worsening Bad Water Problems'

PHUKET: The bad water problem on Phuket was getting worse, not better, a marine environmentalist said today.

Declining environmental health at Phuket's beaches and reefs inevitably means a turn-off in tourist numbers at some point in the future.

Marine biologist Dr Nipon Pongsawan said that the responsibility for preventing run-off and damaging sediment rested with Phuket local councils.

''We tell the Governor and the Provincial administration about the issues,'' said Dr Nipon, of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.

''The message is passed on to the local councils, who have responsibility for enforcing the regulations. And nothing happens.''

The local councils are also responsible for preventing private businesses from operating on Phuket's beaches.

Every high season, the beaches are subjected to more private invasions.

Dr Nipon said today that the worst areas for bad water runoff on Phuket were at Patong - particularly the southern end of the beach - Kamala and Kata.

''Koh Sireh is also deteriorating because of the amount of development there,'' he said.

''Places where there are canals running into the sea always have serious problems at this time of the year, when the rain sweeps sediment and rubbish offshore.''

Phuketwan has suggested replacing Phuket councils' control over the beaches with a single Phuket Beach Authority, with the Royal Thai Navy empowered to preserve the environment.