Senate Advisor Urges Urgent Action on Phuket’s Mounting Waste Crisis

A senior advisor to Thailand’s Senate Subcommittee on Land Resources has called for urgent action to address Phuket’s mounting waste crisis after a fire erupted at the provincial landfill near Saphan Hin, burning for two consecutive days as of April 22, 2026. Phuket City Municipality responded by requesting all local administrative organizations and private operators to halt delivery of solid waste to the Phuket Provincial Waste Disposal Center between April 11 and 19, and declared an emergency assistance zone while crews battled the blaze.

Overwhelmed Landfill and Environmental Risks

Municipal officials have finalized plans to reopen the central landfill site for waste disposal by local administrative organizations and government agencies starting April 18. Inspections revealed the landfill had reached critical capacity, with rapid tourism and economic growth driving waste volumes beyond the site’s limits.

Overflowing garbage has produced strong odors affecting nearby communities and created a visual blight that threatens Phuket’s image as a tourist destination. Environmental concerns include the risk of leachate contaminating soil and water sources.

Senate Committee Recommendations and Facility Capacity

Mr. Samran Sinthong, the Senate Subcommittee advisor, led a delegation to review operations at Phuket’s second municipal waste-to-energy plant, which processes up to 700 tons of waste daily. He emphasized the need for strict incineration standards to minimize air pollution and systematic disposal of residual ash.

Following the inspection, the Senate committee proposed expanding waste-to-energy capacity, securing environmentally sound landfill sites, promoting waste separation at source, and enforcing stricter environmental regulations to safeguard both residents and the tourism sector.

Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/04/22/senate-advisor-urges-urgent-action-on-phukets-mounting-waste-crisis/