Phuket —
Authorities in Phuket have launched an urgent investigation into reports of discolored seawater along Patong Beach, following directives from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin to strengthen land use oversight and environmental protection in the province.
Governor Chotnarin Kedsom instructed the Phuket Office of Natural Resources and Environment, together with the Region 15 Office of Environmental and Pollution Control and related agencies, to inspect suspected wastewater discharge points near Kalim and Patong in Kathu District.
Initial Findings
- Construction site cleared: Inspectors found no evidence of wastewater release from a nearby construction project. Project managers explained that runoff observed was rainwater flowing naturally from the hillside into public drainage channels.
- Pak Bang Canal: Water samples taken at 2:30 p.m. showed a brownish-green color, attributed to seawater pushing inland during high tide.
- Patong shoreline: Seawater along approximately 1.5 kilometers of beach appeared brownish-green. Officials initially suspect a plankton bloom, a natural phenomenon caused by rapid growth of phytoplankton that can alter water color.
The Phuket Office of Natural Resources and Environment will conduct in-depth testing, including laboratory analysis of water samples and tracing potential pollution sources. Results will be reported to the governor for further legal and regulatory action.
Plankton blooms, while natural, can sometimes affect marine ecosystems and tourism if they persist. The government’s swift response is part of heightened scrutiny of environmental management in Phuket, a province heavily reliant on its coastal resources and international reputation as a tourist destination.
