My own career journey in my 20s included working for an international textile agency supplying major Western brands. The factories we partnered with, across Asia and East Africa, adhered to stringent compliance standards that extended even to their subcontractors. These standards guaranteed proper working conditions, facilities and treatment of workers, enforced through regular inspections and contractual obligations.
This stands in stark contrast to the current practices in Phuket and much of Thailand. Developers and subcontractors frequently fail to provide adequate working and living conditions for their workforce. The recurrent flooding of the Koktanod workers’ camp serves as a stark illustration of this problem.
Flooded for the third time this year, with workers displaced to nearby temples, the Koktanod camp epitomises the issue. While its low-lying location and runoff from nearby developments contribute to the flooding, the camp’s conditions are appalling. A mountain of refuse, lack of sanitation and the ever-present threat of disease create an unsafe and unhealthy environment.
These workers, living in squalor, are building the multi-million-baht complexes that drive Phuket’s economy. Regardless of which specific contractor or subcontractor employs them, the urgent need for regulation is clear.
While some developers and contractors in Phuket do prioritise worker welfare, they are unfortunately overshadowed by those who exploit migrant workers, mainly from Myanmar, for profit.
We should push for the establishment of an independent body to enforce compliance within the construction industry. This body would ensure that all developers and subcontractors meet proper safety and hygiene standards, both on and off work sites.
Compliance should begin with fundamental practices:
- Ensuring all workers have proper visas and access to healthcare.
- Providing a basic standard of safe and hygienic living conditions.
- Requiring the use of proper working and safety equipment.
- Enforcing existing laws, even seemingly minor ones like wearing a motorbike helmet.
The current situation is unacceptable and unsustainable. We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy to force change. The time for compliance in Phuket’s construction industry is now. It’s a matter of basic human decency to ensure that all workers, regardless of their origin, are treated with dignity and respect.
Phuket’s construction industry has many challenges, but worker exploitation shouldn’t be one of them. Prioritising compliance and ethical practices will create an industry that benefits everyone involved. These changes don’t have to be expensive, but they will make a profound difference.
Let’s take inspiration from industries like textiles and demand a transformation. Establishing an independent enforcement body is a critical first step. It’s time to end the exploitation and build a construction industry that values safety, dignity, and respect for all.
Simon Causton is a long-time Phuket resident, founder of Citadel Phuket and author of ‘The Phuket Periodical’ newsletter. X (Twitter): @SimonCauston