Speaking in Parliament, Mr Chalermpong, who represents Phuket District 2, said the province’s water demand has surged due to its large tourism economy and growing population.
He noted that Phuket hosts more than 10 million visitors each year and now has an estimated population of around 2 million, placing immense pressure on the island’s limited supply.
“Water shortages occur every year. Many areas are forced to buy expensive private water, and even then, it is not always enough. Some households must purchase tank water for daily use, while businesses suffer damage to water pumps and reduced customer activity,” he said.
Mr Chalermpong explained that Phuket’s public water production currently depends on three main reservoirs and raw water purchased from private sources, which together cannot reliably meet demand. The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has therefore been forced to reduce water pressure and supply water on a rotation basis.
Although the Phang Nga-Phuket Water Link Project (Phase 1) has been approved and funded, it remains in the procurement stage and will take three years to complete, he said.
Short-term measures ‒ such as deploying mobile filtration plants and buying raw water from private mines ‒ remain insufficient, particularly in high-demand areas including Patong, Kamala, Karon, Rawai, Chalong, Wichit and Ratsada.
In Ratsada alone, water supply is especially unstable due to its distance from the Bang Jo pumping station in Srisoonthorn, and power outages can cause immediate service disruptions. The PWA has already requested funding for backup generators, but approval is still pending, MP Chalermpong said.
“I urge the Minister to expedite budget allocation for emergency equipment before the tourism high season begins,” he added.
He also highlighted problems with water loss management, saying the Phuket PWA lacks sufficient budget and staff. Although a central government plan to hire a private operator to handle leak detection and repair was approved, the contract has yet to start for the second consecutive year.
“As a result, the local PWA must manage everything on its own ‒ from pipe repairs and pressure control to sediment drainage ‒ with limited resources,” he said.
Mr Chalermpong further criticised the lack of coordination between government agencies, citing repeated cases of newly paved roads being re-dug for waterworks repairs. “This damages the public’s confidence and wastes government funds,” he said.
The Phuket MP concluded by challenging the Minister of the Interior with two direct questions to:
- Does the government have a clear plan for sustainable long-term water management in Phuket?
- When will the government allocate budgets or begin new projects to address water shortages across the island?
Mr Chalermpong urged the ministry to prioritise Phuket’s water supply issues as a matter of urgency, warning that without swift action, the situation could worsen during the coming high season when demand peaks.