The landfill, operated under Phuket City Municipality, receives refuse from all local administrative organisations in the province. Mayor Suphot said the mounting waste, combined with limited space, budget and equipment, has intensified problems with foul odours, flies and other environmental impacts.
“Phuket is in crisis,” he warned, adding that without more funding, some of the waste could end up being returned to the landfill even after partial disposal.
For fiscal 2025, central government funding has been approved to dismantle 100,000 tonnes of old waste, with the private sector assisting in removing another 200,000 tonnes, Mayor Suphot explained in an interview with state news agency NBT Phuket.
However, about 500,000 tonnes still remain. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) has committed B30 million, and Phuket City Municipality will allocate B10mn more to remove an additional 100,000 tonnes, he added.
Compounding the problem is the high cost of acquiring government land for waste management projects. Mayor Suphot noted that the Royal Forest Department requires nearly B70mn in compensation for reforestation and maintenance when forest areas are used, placing a heavy strain on provincial budgets.
The rainy season is also making operations more difficult, with wet ground and standing water hindering waste sorting and transport.
The mayor stressed that long-term success depends on reducing waste at the source through proper separation, especially of organic waste, which causes the worst odours and liquid seepage.
“If we separate waste at home, we can cut the amount going into the landfill by up to 60%,” he said. “Every piece of waste starts with our hands. If we separate it at the source, it will greatly reduce the burden on machinery, landfill space, and the government budget.”
Mayor Suphot urged the public, private sector and all levels of government to join forces in tackling the problem, saying, “This is not just a municipal issue ‒ it’s a responsibility we all share.”