Phuket Governor Sophon noted that Phuket welcomed over 14,000 visitors, including over 8,000 Thais. This brings the total number of visitors to Phuket to over 25,000 per day. In 2024, Phuket attracted 13.24 million tourists, generating almost B498 billion in tourism revenue.
“However, the province’s annual development budget last year was just B169 million, allocated according to the official registered population of 400,000 ‒ a figure far below the reality. In fact, the island currently has around 550,000 residents from other provinces, 400,000-500,000 foreigners, and 130,000 migrant workers,” he noted.
“This mismatch between population and budget creates serious consequences,” Governor Sophon said, citing critical shortages in water supply, wastewater treatment, waste disposal, and transport infrastructure.
“Phuket’s three reservoirs can store only 22 million cubic metres of water, forcing the province to look at drawing additional supplies from Cheow Lan Dam in Surat Thani,” he pointed out.
“Wastewater and garbage remain pressing issues, with Phuket generating 1,200 tonnes of waste daily but having only one incinerator. Plans are underway for an additional incinerator in Thalang and a wastewater treatment upgrade, by waiting for central approval again and again,” he added.
“Healthcare is also under strain. There are currently 1,700 cancer patients in Phuket, but limited government funding means the province relies on donations for key projects such as a radiation treatment centre,” he noted.
The Phuket Governor said a special form of local government ‒ giving Phuket greater control over its tax revenue ‒ is the only viable way forward.
“If we keep waiting for the central government, Phuket will not survive. We need to manage our own resources,” he said.
“Under the proposal, taxes collected from Phuket would remain in Phuket, with up to 90% of tourism-related revenue reinvested locally. This would allow large-scale infrastructure projects ‒ such as a long-awaited light rail system ‒ to be funded without years of delays,” he said.
According to Governor Sophon, the ‘Phuket Metropolis’ draft plan has already been completed by the provincial government, Citizen Council, Phuket MPs and People Party and Phuket Chamber of Commerce, with four versions prepared by different stakeholders.
The next step is to set up a committee to review and submit the drafts to the national government.
The Governor likened Phuket’s proposed model to Toshima in Japan, noting that Bangkok’s own system has been revised 47 times since 1975.
He also reassured residents that local municipal structures would remain intact.
“We are an island province with unique needs. One-size-fits-all governance does not work here,” he said. “It is time for Phuket to take control of its own future.”