Hanoi (VNA) – Holiday islands in Thailand are facing a severe water shortage following a blistering heatwave across Asia.
The Koh Phi Phi archipelago, off the west coast of southern Thailand, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year has been experiencing a deadly heatwave that has sent temperature records tumbling across the region in recent weeks.
The high temperature and a prolonged spell of low rainfall has made reservoirs there run low.
Wichupan Phukaoluan Srisanya, president of the Krabi Hotel Association which represents hotels in the area, said that private company that provides water to the islands may have to stop the supply.
She said the island authorities have discussed shipping in water from the mainland if the dry weather continues.
Residents said that they had suffered fresh water shortages for months, and that some hotels had limited bookings as they were afraid of insufficient water supply to tourists.
Local tourism operators have called for long-term water supply investments for the Koh Phi Phi islands, which lack sufficient reservoirs and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, in the Gulf of Thailand, another hugely popular tourist island - Koh Samui has been experiencing similar dry, hot weather. However, local tourism board said visitors had not been impacted.
President of Koh Samui Tourism Association Ratchaparon Poolsawadee said that accommodation establishments have to buy water, which increases the cost of running hotels by three times more./.
