The news came as members from the House of Representatives Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment arrived in Phuket yesterday (Feb 24) for a two-day field visit to inspect and review land and environmental concerns, gather public opinions and explore sustainable solutions.
The committee members, led by Chairman Poonsak Chanchampi, visited Sirinat National Park in Sakhu yesterday morning. Accompanied by Vice Chairmen Abdul-Aye Samang and Songyos Ramsut, along with Spokesperson Thitikan Thitipruethikul ‒ who also serves as one of the three Phuket MPs ‒ the delegation assessed issues related to park boundaries, land encroachment and waste management.
Park Chief Mr Siriwat, along with local administrative officials, reported a significant waste management problem, said an official report of the visit.
The park generates 200-300kg of waste each day, but due to limited resources, much of it remains uncollected.
Sakhu Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor) faces an even larger challenge, producing 25 tons of waste per day but only managing to collect 18 tons, leading to waste overflow, the report confirmed.
The issue is compounded by the island’s sole incinerator being shut down for repairs and maintenance, forcing authorities to resort to inadequate waste disposal.
To tackle these challenges, Mr Siriwat proposed designating a disposal point within the park and requesting more garbage bins.
Mr Thitikan suggested drafting a waste collection plan and securing budget support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
During the visit, massage shop operators at Mai Khao Beach sought the committee’s intervention after facing demolition of their service booths.
Mai Khao Deputy Mayor Wasawat Hongsa-suphasakul, explained that assistance measures were in place, including the option for affected operators to appeal and register under the Mai Khao Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBprTor)
Later in the day, the committee examined additional land disputes and environmental issues across Phuket, including inspection of land use conflicts at Thalang Phranang Sang School’s sports field in Thepkrasattri; assessment of a hotel construction dispute in a narrow alley in Soi Pasak 5, Cherng Talay; and investigation of overlapping land claims in Kamala.
The committee today is to visit the site of the landslide in Kata that killed 13 people last August to follow up on “recovery efforts”. Officials from disaster prevention, forestry and municipal offices are apparently to provide updates on mitigation measures, said the official report.