Phi Phi left high and dry
Island grapples with too much weed and not enough water
THE much-visited Phi Phi Island in Krabi province is drowning in multiple crises: there is a severe shortage of freshwater for consumption and outlets selling marijuana are on the rise.
Businessmen are urging the government to allocate funds for setting up a freshwater production plant and also take steps to control the open sale of marijuana.
Pisan Trangkasombat, managing partner of PP Bayview Resort, said the water crisis had reached beyond the capacity of private enterprises to address independently. The government may need to allocate a budget to secure freshwater sources or consider installing desalination plants to source seawater.
He said these are matters requiring national-level policies, citing a successful past initiative to lay underwater power cables from the mainland to supply electricity to Koh Phi Phi.
Natthi Adisaralak, president of the Chamber of Commerce in Krabi province, revealed that proposals had been made during joint public-private sector meetings to address the economic challenges of the province. The aim is to involve government agencies in finding solutions to these issues, he said.
Currently, Koh Phi Phi purchases freshwater for consumption on the island but the supply remains insufficient. A study was conducted recently to assess the impact of this issue, with the Water Resources Department working to address the problems plaguing tourism destinations on Koh Phi Phi.
The department is in the process of designing a project for a freshwater supply system on the island.
On the issue of marijuana, Pisan urged the government to expedite issuing regulations on its use.
The recreational drug should not be freely available and public authorities should enforce strict regulations or laws to prevent unrestricted sales as seen currently, he said.
Pisan also suggested that the authorities designate specific areas for marijuana use.
Authorities should also prohibit the drug’s sale in public spaces such as areas along the roadside and at tourist hotspots, he added.