Waste disposal on Koh Larn, an unsolvable problem

Ampai Sakdanukuljit, assistant director of the Tourism and Sports Board, presented Silapakorn University's report on Koh Larn's tourism capacity to Deputy Mayor ApichartVirapal and the Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya. A first step towards new plans to protect the island's ecosystem.

The 3.411-rai island has 1.567 hotel rooms and attracts an average of 10.000 visitors per day, more than doubling during peak season and holidays, the report said. The six main beaches are mainly visited by Chinese (40 percent), Russian (30 percent) and Thai (20 percent) tourists who produce more waste than the island can handle. Silapakorn estimated that the island produces somewhere between 50 and 300 tons of waste per day. By comparison, Pattaya would generate 450 tons of waste per day.

Koh Larn used to be able to ship about 20 tons of rubbish to the mainland every night, but due to a technical defect in the boats, this is not possible. The island is looking for budget to buy new ships. Recycling campaigns have been launched, but have had little effect, the report concluded.

Consultants said KohLarn has the potential to grow, but it lacks a sufficient number of high-quality accommodations for the number of tourists and environmental problems are on the rise.

The report will be presented to the city council. He could consider the next steps, such as limiting the number of visitors, which has not worked in the past. Introducing a fee to visit the island. This proposed measure was also not well received by a number of council members. The money would be used to maintain the island. Other measures or proposals did not make it.

With all due respect to the Silapakorn University report, little will change for Koh Larn! On the contrary, the unprocessed and stored dirt is already an increasing problem!

Source: Pattaya Mail