The answer, unfortunately, is staring us in the face. Phuket’s relentless pursuit of development, its transformation from a tropical paradise to a concrete jungle, has come at a heavy price. Swamplands, waterways and canals that once acted as natural flood basins have been filled in to make way for fancy villas and condominiums. The result is a disastrous alteration of the island’s natural drainage system, leading to excess water runoff that has nowhere to go but into people’s homes.
One of my clients in one particular development is a living testament to this. His house, which had never experienced flooding in all the years he’s lived there, was recently inundated, forcing him to replace his kitchen and all the flooring. The financial burden is immense, but even more worrisome is the uncertainty he now faces. What if it happens again next year? Will his house ever be insurable again? Will its value plummet? These are questions that thousands of homeowners across Phuket are grappling with.
It’s not just individual homeowners who are suffering. Businesses, too, are feeling the pinch. The tourism industry, the lifeblood of Phuket’s economy, is particularly vulnerable. When tourists see images of flooded streets and submerged homes, they’re likely to think twice before booking their next vacation here. The long-term impact on the island’s reputation could be severe. I’ve seen Facebook pages flooded (excuse the pun) with worried tourists asking if they should cancel their trips due to floods.
The case of my family friend who owns a villa off Koktanod Rd in Cherng Talay is a stark illustration of the problem. For over 20 years, their home remained untouched by floods. But when their new neighbours in a condo development started raising the land and pouring concrete, everything changed. The altered water flow led to their entire villa being flooded, causing untold damage and distress.
This is not an isolated incident. All over Phuket, we’re seeing similar stories. Developers, in their rush to capitalise on the island’s real estate boom, are showing little regard for the environmental consequences of their actions. The result is a man-made disaster that’s affecting everyone on the island.
It’s time for the Phuket authorities to wake up and take action. We need stricter regulations on development, particularly in areas prone to flooding. We need to preserve our remaining wetlands and waterways, not fill them in. And we need to hold developers accountable for the damage they cause.
The future of Phuket hangs in the balance. If we continue on this path of unchecked development, we risk destroying the very things that make this island so special. We need to find a way to balance progress with preservation, to build a sustainable future for Phuket that benefits everyone, not just the developers.
Beyond the economic impact, the floods have also taken a toll on the mental and emotional well-being of residents. The stress of dealing with damaged homes, lost possessions, and the uncertainty of the future can be overwhelming. Many people are feeling angry and betrayed, wondering how their once-safe havens have become so vulnerable.
It’s easy to point fingers at the developers, but the truth is, we all share some responsibility. We’ve allowed ourselves to be seduced by the promise of progress, turning a blind eye to the environmental cost. It’s time to demand better from our local government, to insist on sustainable development that respects the island’s natural balance.
We need a comprehensive flood mitigation plan that includes improved drainage systems, the preservation of natural floodplains, and stricter building codes. We also need to invest in early warning systems and evacuation plans to minimise the impact of future floods.
The floods need to serve as a wake-up call. We can no longer ignore the consequences of unchecked development. We have a choice to make: continue down this path of destruction or chart a new course towards a sustainable future.
Simon Causton is a long-time Phuket resident, founder of Citadel Phuket and author of ‘The Phuket Periodical’ newsletter. X (Twitter): @SimonCauston