Phuket tourism forum hears calls to address growth pressures

More than 300 people took part in a House Committee on Tourism forum in Phuket on 19 September 2026, raising concerns about the effects of tourism growth on traffic, waste, infrastructure, the environment and living costs.

The forum, titled “Phuket Tourism 2030: Voice to Action”, was held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel. Participants, including residents, entrepreneurs, community leaders and students, were divided into 10 groups to discuss problems, needs and proposals for the province’s future.

Phuket MP Orathai Kerdsub, the committee’s first vice-chairperson, said the aim was to hear directly from people and turn their views into practical policy proposals for provincial and local authorities. The proposals are intended to cover tourism, quality of life, the environment, infrastructure, education and economic opportunities.

Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom, who opened the forum, said tourism had brought economic benefits but had also created long-standing pressures, including congestion, waste and wastewater management, demands on resources and land, infrastructure needs and a rising cost of living.

“Future tourism development should not focus solely on visitor numbers,” he said, calling for greater emphasis on the value of tourism, including the revenue and economic opportunities it generates and the impacts associated with growth.

The governor said tourism supported businesses and workers across Phuket, including hotels, restaurants, local shops, transport operators and small businesses. He also said uncontrolled expansion could affect residents’ quality of life and the province’s resources.

The committee is expected to consolidate the groups’ recommendations into 10 proposed actions for consideration by relevant government agencies. The forum’s official reports did not announce the actions themselves.