Koh Lan, a picturesque island off the coast of Pattaya that attracts thousands of tourists every day, is grappling with a critical water shortage that has sparked concerns among local residents and business owners.
Following more than two years of restricted tourism due to the pandemic, the island has witnessed a sharp surge in the number of visitors arriving each day. This sudden increase in demand has put a strain on Koh Lan’s water supply, which is currently receiving only 300 cubic meters of treated water per day from Eastern Water Resources Development and Management Plc (Eastwater).
The shortage has forced local businesses to purchase additional water from private suppliers on the mainland, which can cost between 70 to 150 baht per cubic meter. However, this short-term solution is not sustainable and has prompted authorities to request Eastwater to increase the supply to 1,000 cubic meters per day.
According to Manoj Nongyai, the deputy mayor of Pattaya City, officials are now revisiting a proposal to install an undersea pipeline that would transport treated water from the mainland to Koh Lan. While the plan was discussed several years ago, it had not been acted upon.
The water crisis on Koh Lan has become a matter of grave concern, with locals calling for a more sustainable solution that would ensure a reliable water supply for residents and visitors in the future. The island’s businesses and residents are now looking to authorities to provide a viable long-term solution to this pressing issue, as the influx of tourists to this popular destination is showing no signs of slowing down.
