Water crisis grapples Koh Samui as rising tourist demands amplify freshwater shortage

Koh Samui, a popular tourist resort island in Surat Thani province, is grappling with a significant water crisis as declining rainfall and amplified water demands take their toll.

Many of the water reserves on the island, such as the district’s Phru Na Muang and Phru Krajud reservoirs, along with the renowned Hin Lard waterfall, have seen their water levels drop significantly, indicative of a severe water crisis. This dip has disrupted clean water production, as the total volume of freshwater available continues to dwindle.

Presently, amid the ongoing water crisis, the island’s local freshwater reserves are deemed to be sufficient for the needs of its residents for just a mere 30 days. The scarcity has also started wreaking havoc on the region’s thriving tourism industry.

According to Ratchaporn Poonsawat, the chair of the Tourism…