In response, Phuket Governor Nopparat Plodthong yesterday evening ordered the relevant agencies to expedite an urgent investigation into the cause of the incident, which saw the black water empty into the sea at the near the Naga serpent statue halfway along the beach.
However, Karon Mayor Tawee Thongcham by late yesterday afternoon had said that heavy rain yesterday had caused a large volume of runoff to enter the canal, causing the water to turn black.
He had a team of workers quickly dispatched to dredge the canal just it before enters the sea to help the dirty water flow quicker.
Regardless, Phuket Public Relations Office Chief Butsaya Jaipiem posted a report noting that, “Phuket has set up an investigation team to investigate the wastewater problem in all areas of Phuket to analyse the basics and be ready to solve the problem (sic).
“In the long term, dredging and the use of chrysanthemum plants will be carried out, and all municipalities will have a wastewater-treatment system, which is included in the wastewater-management plan, to solve the overall environmental problems in Phuket,” the report added.
Despite the rhetoric, Governor Norraphat specifically ordered Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew to inspect the area and take steps to solve the problem.