The Issue:
- The Deputy Governor of Surat Thani has called a meeting to discuss the concerns regarding the growing garbage mass on Samui Island
- Samui Island is reportedly under-equipped to deal with the garbage on the island. Garbage elimination measures on the island were falling behind the amount of garbage generated
- Samui Island currently produces 140 tons of garbages daily, while the number generally increases to 180 tons per day during the high tourism season
Note that the incinerator is at max capacity, when being used.
Production of garbage exceeds management controls.
From:
Surat Thani Holds Meeting To Solve The Garbage Issue On Samui (Feb 6, 2015)
The garbage situation is out of control.
An epidemic is inevitable if not addressed immediately.
The main problem is the local incinerator is not functioning, and with no where to dispose of the garbage, it is being dropped in the mountains and just about anywhere.
Pollution Index
Articles on the garbage situation on Koh Samui
The shocking truth behind Samui’s garbage disposal crisis
Members of ex pat community call for an action group to deal with Samui’s dirty secret
Will Samui Paradise turn into garbage heap?
Samui Island is facing garbage dumping problem
Urgent wake-up call for Koh Samui (2012)
Exotic island destination to work with firm to become ‘green’ (2013) What happened??
Samui Incinerator – What a Waste (2002) – GreenPeace
Do a search for “koh samui garbage” and see things like this:
Report: MAPPING NEEDS AND ACTIVITIES ON WASTE MANAGEMENT
Country Report by the Royal Thai Government
- Chao Nokyoo, Ph.D.
- Director of Solid Waste Management Division Waste and Hazardous Substance Management Bureau Pollution Control Department www.pcd.go.th
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Copy of above report
A report from APEC (2013) identified and mentions the pending waste management issues;
The review team found environmental planning on Samui island to be well thought out. However it is important that relevant authorities build on the experience of successful waste management strategy to engage and empower business (including local tourism association) and community on other environmental issues and also include a wider range of environmental issues in their planning in order to achieve an all encompassing strategy.
- Today, Koh Samui is facing the problem of environmental degradation and pollution, irremovable chemical waste, underground contaminated water…
- Rising public awareness on the importance of the forest, as well as proper garbage dumping and no direct discharge of waste water into the sea, must be carried out.
- …the only one waste disposal plant in Koh Samui is capable of burning dumped waste up to 140 tons/day (2 x 70 tons/day incinerator), which almost reached its limit to burn waste already
- NOTE: the incinerator mentioned above has been offline over 1 year
If you visit the Pollution Control Department website (www.pcd.go.th) it says under “New Information” there is the following:
- Thailand State of Pollution Report 2011 (24 Dec 12)
A report from 2012 is New Information? In other words, not much being done. Screenshot
Koh Samui is not the only island in the area dealing with garbage management issues.
Koh Phangan (and nearby islands) are also experiencing similar problems – source
Or it an issue across the country? source
- Thailand totters towards waste crisis
- How Thailand is hurtling towards a massive waste disposal crisis
Reference
Directory – Samui
Samui Gazette – front page (2010) – Samui trash problem now ‘critical’
“(Making) Koh Samui a ‘green’ island may take time but at least we have started.”
Ramnate Chaikwang – 2010
Mayor, Koh Samui
“We recognise the importance of clean energy, sustainable transportation, waste management, and water efficiency to our island and our economy.”
Ramnate Chaikwang – 2013
Mayor, Koh Samui
Samui Garbage 